1983 First British study shows children in care two years behind in English at age 11.
1994 New Department of Health guidelines say education and social services departments must work together; there must be an education plan for every child.
1995 Office for Standards in EducationSocial Services Inspectorate joint report lambasts local authorities for not fulfilling 1994 guidelines.
November 1997 Sir William Utting’s report People Like Us on children’s home abuse says he is “frankly horrified by the state of the education of looked-after children”.
July 1998 House of Commons health committee reports: “The failure to provide adequate educational support and opportunities for looked-after children is scandalous.
“November 1998 Government publishes Quality Protects programme of social services reform, including achievement targets.
January 1999 all local authorities must produce action plan of reform.
June 1999 1994 DOH guidelines due to be replaced.
July 2001 Target date for 50+ per cent of looked-after children to achieve one graded GCSE or equivalent at age 16.
July 2003 Target date for 75+ per cent of looked-after children to achieve one graded GCSE or equivalent at age 16.