An open day is being held in Bristol to highlight educational opportunities for children in care.

The city council's Education of Children Looked After Service (ECLAS) provides support to foster families and children.

It is staging the open day today at its base in Stockwood to give carers a chance to find out more about the service.

In the two years since it was formed, ECLAS has achieved considerable success, particularly with primary age children.

Almost all children met or exceeded their SAT targets. One child who had struggled with reading increased their reading age by two years and two months in just one term.

A team of specialist teachers provide curriculum support as well as in-school and out-of-school support. They also liaise with schools to ensure the children get the opportunities they need.

An education base is also available for children who have been excluded from school. And foster carers can call a telephone advice line to talk to the ECLAS team about educational issues relating to the children in their care.

Peter Hammond, city council deputy leader with responsibility for education and lifelong learning, said: "Like every child, looked-after children have the right to an education.
"This dedicated service makes sure they get all the support they need.We look forward to seeing all the children maximise their potential and reap the rewards in their later lives."

ECLAS was formed two years ago after government concerns about the schooling experienced by some children taken into care.

At the time, government statistics showed that 25 per cent of those children over the age of 14 did not attend school.

Up to 60 per cent of residents in children's homes missed school in any one day and young people living in residential units were 60 times more likely to be excluded than their peers.

The open day takes place between 10am and 4pm at the ECLAS base, 1b Amercombe Walk, Stockwood.