Care experienced children and young people will receive further support to improve attainment, attendance and wellbeing throughout their education and beyond.

The Scottish Government will provide £10.5 million to be shared by local authorities across Scotland through the Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund.

Launched in 2018, the funding is provided to local authorities and aims to improve the educational outcomes for care experienced children and young people, supported by the strategic goals of The Promise and the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

The fund has so far provided more than £60 million to deliver initiatives such as mentoring programmes and out of school support.

Commenting, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, and MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“I am pleased to see this further support for care experienced young people through The Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund, which will assist them to continue or re-enter education and help to improve educational outcomes.

“This action is making a real difference to the care experience community across Scotland, as figures have highlighted that more care experienced children and young people are staying in school for longer and achieving higher qualifications.

“Every child and young person should grow up feeling loved, safe and supported flourish. Improving outcomes for care-experienced young people requires a truly national effort, and the Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities, schools and others to ensure that all young people in Scotland can meet their full potential.”