Specific Educational Support Needs of Children in Non-Kinship Foster Care

Abstract

Research shows that children in family foster care have more academic difficulties than is the case in the general population. However, there are few official screening protocols or specific educational initiatives for children and youth in care. This study identified the specific educational support needs (SESN) of children in foster care, using the protocol developed by the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Education to detect students with SESN. 212 non-kinship foster children (89 girls and 123 boys) from Malaga, Granada and Jaen participated in the study. Data related to their personal and family history and their SESN were gathered through the case files. Descriptive analysis and cross tabulation were carried out to show how children with SESN were distributed according to the variables analysed. The results show that almost half of the children had SESN, which most frequently required the provision of compensatory or special education. Differences were observed in the distribution of cases according to the variables studied. Child protection professionals should use the protocol designed by the Regional Ministry of Education to provide them with adequate educational input, first by carrying out a correct identification and detection of children and youth in care with SESN. Furthermore, open communication among schools, Child Protections Services and foster families is highly recommended.