It is widely acknowledged that children and young people under guardianship are highly disadvantaged in achieving a good education. This does not mean they are not capable, nor that individual educators and carers do not support them. It does mean that we can do more to overcome the significant obstacles the students face with recovering from trauma, changing schools, and early neglect.
In February 2007 we commenced an investigation into improving educational outcomes for students in care. The Office engaged Ms Julie White and Ms Helen Lindstrom to investigate what was available now for children in care and prepare an ‘ideas’ report on additional action required to improve children’s experience of school and learning. In the subsequent months they conducted a review of the literature in Australia and overseas, summarised the strategies currently in place in this state, interviewed children and young people under guardianship or formerly under guardianship and interviewed a range of stakeholders.
Improving educational outcomes for children and young people under guardianship in South Australia and a summary of Improving educational outcomes for children and young people under guardianship in South Australia can be downloaded as PDF files.
Download the Summary Report here.
Download the Full Report here.
