An outlook on the factors that influence the educational experience of looked after children

Abstract

This study aims to explore the educational experience of looked after children. This study is carried out in order to explore the factors that influence the educational experience of looked after children in residential care and in foster care. Through this study the main finding has been that there are several factors that contribute to the educational experience of children in care. Amongst these factors surfaced the importance of the role of the family, teachers, and carers. These findings suggest that the provision of education of children in care should be provided with the cooperation of several professionals, such as the residential social workers, the teachers, and also the residential carers or the foster carers. The research findings aim at creating awareness about the importance of providing adequate education to these children, and to promote equal opportunities in education for children. This study was conducted by applying a qualitative research design. For this qualitative research three sets of in-depth questionnaires have been used, where most questions have been open ended in order to probe more detail. The first questionnaire was addressed to the children. The second questionnaire was addressed to the residential carers or foster carers. The third one was addressed to the teachers. Moreover, observation sessions have been conducted at the care placement and at the school, in order to obtain a holistic view. Finally, this research study recommends ways of how the educational experience of children in care can be enhanced, by developing upon already existing support, and creating new modes of support for these children.