To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of current educational experiences and outcomes for looked after children.

My aim is to create an education service which ensures that everyone receives a high-quality education, focussing on the needs of our young people.

However, the evidence tells us that many looked-after children massively underachieve in education. The latest available figures for 2013/14 show that only 20.9% achieved 5 GCSEs grades A-C including English and Maths, compared to 63.8 % of non- looked after children in our schools. This is a marginal improvement on the previous year.

My expectations for looked-after children are no less than for any other child. I want them to achieve to their full potential. I acknowledge however that they might need a bit of extra support to help them to do so. I have therefore provided an additional support factor of just over £1000 per year to schools for each Looked After Child on their register. In addition the Education Authority’s Education Welfare Service can offer advice and support to individual looked-after children and their carers to support them with their education.

My officials are currently developing a policy to further support the educational experiences and outcomes for looked-after children. They are consulting with the Health Department and all other stakeholders, including looked-after children themselves. I expect the policy to be introduced during the 2016/17 school year.

I await the final report on recent research conducted by OECD to consider ways to improve educational outcomes for looked-after children here. I will ensure that any appropriate recommendations are fully considered as the policy is developed.