The charity Become have recently shared a report that shows a crisis in educational instability for children in care, with thousands moving home or school during their GCSEs and A-levels.

The moves occur due to a shortage of suitable homes, and many young people are being forced to leave care before they are ready.

According to the report:

• 1 in 3 (34%) children in care in years 10-13 had to move home (over 15,000 children)
• 1 in 8 (12%) had to move school
• 30% were moved or had to leave care during their A-level exam period
• 13% were moved during their GCSE exam period

This instability can have a devastating, lifelong impact. The report also highlights the distance children were moved, making feelings of isolation and loneliness worse and affecting their ability to thrive at school.

• 16% of children in care were moved more than 20 miles during years 10 and 11
• Nearly 1 in 10 (9%) were moved more than 20 miles in years 12 and 13

Sian, TACT’s Head of Education, said: “It’s a timely reminder that we should be doing everything in our power not to move a school unless we absolutely have to – especially if that placement is not long-term or the young person is in an exam year.  There is sometimes a conflict of interest when we are trying to place a child with new carers and it means a lengthy school journey, where carers are unable to support the child getting to school, or have children in multiple schools.  While we understand the issue, and want to make life easier for our carers, the best interests of the child should always be the top priority. In these scenarios, we would try to look at alternative solutions.

“There is also work to be done with the understanding of school staff, as school-based training on a child’s journey through the care system can be patchy at best.  We often feel that class teachers have little understanding around the impact of moving care placements or regular school changes has on a child or young person.  If our Education Team are made aware, we can work with school staff and will always advocate for maintaining a school place wherever possible, even more so from age 14+.”

Become have shared a petition, calling on the government to keep children in care closer to the people and places that matter to them.