Almost half of kinship carers fear the adverse experiences of the child in their care have negatively impacted on that child’s ability to cope in school, according to research published today.
Of the 1,600 carers polled, 48 per cent told charity Kinship that the life experiences of the children they look after - such as separation from parents, abuse, neglect or bereavement - have impacted on their education.
This included impact around “struggling to manage their emotions”, ability to “adapt to the school environment” and ability to perform well in exams.
Kinship care is when a child lives full-time or most of the time with a relative or close family friend, usually because their parents are not able to care for them. This includes around more than 141,000 children in England and Wales.
The needs of school children raised by relatives are being “overlooked and ignored” and support needs to be “urgently improved”, the charity, which represents kinship families, said in its report today.
Released ahead of GCSE results day on Thursday, Kinship’s report also warned that children raised by relatives in kinship care are being “denied the support they need to do well at school and exams”.
‘Crisis’ in SEND support impacting kinship children
The report also found that children in kinship care have a far higher rate of suspected special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) than their peers (47 per cent, compared to 17 per cent in the wider population).
Fewer children in kinship care in England (15 per cent) have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) than other children supported by the local authority, such as those identified as children in need (28 per cent).
Around four in 10 kinship carers were not aware of the child in their care accessing any educational advice or support through virtual schools or a designated teacher.
The findings come as pressures around SEND support were moved to a top-tier risk for the Department of Education, according to its annual accounts last month.
New government data released this summer has also shown the largest increase in the number of EHCPs since the pandemic.
“This ongoing crisis in SEND support is therefore likely to be disproportionately disadvantaging children in kinship care and their carers, too, who continue to battle for the support they need,” the report said.
Of the kinship carers surveyed, 51 per cent said their children currently had mental health difficulties.
Only 43 per cent of the kinship carers said their children had ever accessed any emotional or therapeutic support.
Need for more teacher training and new school guidance
Kinship has urged the new government to “urgently improve support” for kinship children in England whose needs they said are “being overlooked and ignored”.
There are “kinship children in every school playground who have been through trauma, such as abuse, neglect, separation and loss, but whose needs are being overlooked and ignored,” the report said.
The charity also recommended additional training for teachers and other school staff around the “unique needs, strengths and experiences of children in kinship care”.
They also call for the pupil premium plus eligibility (which is currently funding provided for looked-after children) to be extended to kinship children, and for the government to issue new guidance on how schools can best deliver support tailored to this group.
“The failure of successive governments to provide support for children in kinship care is inexcusable,” said Dr Lucy Peake, chief executive officer of Kinship.
She said that children in kinship care are being denied the support they need to do well in school and exams and to be healthy and happy.
Government ‘must take immediate, bold steps’
If the government “is serious in its mission to break down barriers to opportunity so that all children can reach their potential,” Dr Peake said, then it “must take immediate, bold steps to improve support for them”.
A DfE spokesperson said: “We are determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve, starting with a loving, secure home. Kinship carers play a crucial role by being a constant support in young people’s lives.
“We know that many children who receive care from relatives and friends need extra support, including in school, and we are working to ensure that their needs are met and they have the best possible opportunity to succeed.”
The government has published guidance on how, from September 2024, virtual school heads should promote the education outcomes of kinship children.
For the latest education news and analysis delivered directly to your inbox every weekday morning, sign up to the Tes Daily newsletter
