"Realise" praised by MPs in report into the education of looked after children

An independent inquiry set up by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Looked After Children and Care Leavers to examine how the education system is experienced by looked-after young people, and to make recommendations for improvement, has praised the Realise project as an example of best practice in outreach, mentoring and raising aspiration.

The inquiry report, “Education Matters in Care,” explores the barriers to learning and educational attainment for young people who have been in care. Noting that “there is much excellent work being done in both education and care … but it continues to be patchy and inconsistent,” the report highlights best practice examples to inspire and encourage everyone involved in supporting children in care to help them realise their potential.

Reviewing initiatives to encourage and support young people to stay in education after the age of 16, the APPG recommends that actions should be taken to “raise awareness and promote early outreach and aspiration by increasing activities such as university visits and taster sessions.”

Realise is one of three best practice examples profiled, alongside the Horizons Centre, Ealing, and Bristol local authority.

Between Sep 11 and Jun 12, 16 different Realise day-events were held at the University. These were attended by 390 children in care from 35 different local authorities. Seven evening visits were made to virtual schools, attended by around 700 young people and 515 foster carers and social workers.

The 2012 Realise programme is now under way. Young people have already enjoyed a Taster Day themed around code-breaking, and an HE Day which included a talk by Professor David Spiegelhalter on how to take risks without being reckless.

Jenny Mackay, who co-ordinates the Realise programme for the University, said: “We are delighted to be included in this report among so many inspiring initiatives and projects.

“Realise events are designed to give young people in care the opportunity to explore new topics that they may not have encountered yet in school, to meet other young people in their situation who share their aspirations of going to university, and to give them confidence and a sense of possibility to take forward,” Jenny added.

Other recommendations to encourage post-16 education made by the APPG include recognising the importance of supportive foster carers; extending Personal Education Plans to 25; and making sure that young people are aware of the financial support to which they are entitled.

• The Report can be downloaded here.

• More information about Realise and the University's work with looked after children and care leavers is here.