Abstract

Children and young people in care rarely match the academic achievements of their peers and policy and procedures to address this inequality have not yet remedied the problem.

Drawing on ideas from social pedagogy, the authors present a new approach - learning placements and caring schools. They show that education and care must be considered integral to both out of home placements and schools. Packed with practice examples, it includes chapters on early childhood education and care, as well as alternatives to school and higher education, covering everything from birth up to the age of 25. It highlights the potential benefits of a range of learning opportunities, from drama and outdoor activities, to bedtime stories and mentoring as well as providing support for teachers in their role as carer. Chapters include key points, case studies, practice points and useful resources.

This is a unique evidence-informed practical guide for students and professionals in the fields of social work, social care, psychology and education.

This excellent and comprehensive book deals with a subject that has taxed the minds of teaching professionals, politicians and care workers for decades and which has been documented in all manner of statistical analyses - that of the education of children in care or, more importantly, the need for better education of children in care.

This important, practical and thoroughly-researched book deals with the need for effective education in its broadest sense for children in care and how practically to achieve this between a supportive care environment - or 'learning placement' - and an equally supportive educational establishment - or 'caring school'.

The book is readable, engaging and relevant because it draws on that most essential and deeply felt of human traits - compassion.

Phil Thomas NPQH, Director of ThinQ Education Ltd

This is a timely book that brings together evidence and case studies around the importance of the integration of care and education in daily life, in order for children in public care and care leavers to flourish. The message that being cared for in school and educated at home is explored in a series of chapters that are easy to read and offers insight into strategies that could be applied whether you are a teacher, social worker, foster carer or residential worker.

As schools are increasingly accountable in the delivery of results I think the book will be particularly useful for designated teachers of Looked After Children to read and understand the importance of care in the educational environment to unlock potential. With the increase of pupil premium plus funding for Looked After Children there is an increasing scrutiny around how we are using resources and there is good evidence in this book to support the prioritisation of these resources for social and emotional support in the education context.

Sarah Rivers, Headteacher of the Virtual School for Looked After Children, Staffordshire County Council and Lee Pardy-McLaughlin, Principal Social Worker, Staffordshire County Council
Finally, the evidence! With the publication of this book it becomes even more urgent that schools consider their social pedagogy. Children in care need a diet of rich, relational, on- going experiences together with us to enable felt security, stability and security: the core conditions for becoming successful learners. Attachment matters.
Louise Michelle Bomber, Attachment Support Teacher, Therapist and Author of Settling to Learn

Claire Cameron PhD is Professor of Social Pedagogy and Deputy Director of the Thomas Coram Research Unit at the Institute of Education, University College London. Previously a social worker, her research contributes to the development of the children's workforce and the quality of life of children and young people attending care and education services, particularly looked after children.
Graham Connelly EdD is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde, where he leads on improving the educational outcomes of looked after children at the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS). He is joint editor of the Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care, a trustee of Kibble Education and Care Centre, and founder of Who Cares? Scotland's scholarships for children in care to attend the Harvard University Secondary Summer School.
Sonia Jackson OBE is Emeritus Professor at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, Institute of Education, University College London. She has previously worked as a clinical psychologist, teacher and social worker and undertook the first research which revealed the neglect of education for children in care. Since then she has led major research studies and published many books and articles on improving their educational opportunities. She is a Patron of the Who Cares? Trust and the Letterbox Club.