Cared-for youngsters and further education

[Hope]

I'm not sure what the figures for England or Scotland are, but recent research indicates that only 2% of cared-for youngsters in Wales go on to university, and only 8% of them are still in education at the age of 19.  This latter figure compares with 48% of all 19-year olds.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-34787876

What do folk believe would be the best way to overcome this appalling situation?  Is it by raising the age that such youngsters remain in care?  Is throwing money at the problem the way ahead?

[Harrowby Hall]

It is a rather worrying situation.

Do we actually throw them out of care at the age of 18 and expect them to support themselves?

I wonder if the fact that they have no family to offer support means that they play safe and forgo further and higher education. Families do remain as a place of safety and support well into adulthood. Decisions to undertake higher education now require assurances about financial security as well as emotional security. For young people fresh out of the care system these qualities are almost certainly in short supply.

[Rhiannon]

My feeling is that the system needs sorting at the earliest stages. From what I've seen among my friends who have adopted, if a child starts life surrounded by addicts and abusers and then once in care gets shoved from pillar to post before getting a 'forever' home, they start school already at a disadvantage - angry, insecure, unhappy. They are playing catch-up from day one.