An evaluation of the 'Transforming Educational Achievement for Children in Home-Based and Residential Care' program.

Summary
Anglicare Victoria has a long history of supporting children and young people in out-of-home-care (OHC). Today it is Victoria’s largest provider of foster and kinship care, and one of the state’s major providers of residential care. The agency is highly committed to supporting the successful transition of children and young people in OHC; be that via re-unification with their families, movement into permanent care, or ultimately the transition into independent living in the community.

The agency also recognises the impact that positive educational experiences and attainment can have in later life, particularly for vulnerable children. Not only does a quality education have the potential to strengthen future employment opportunities and economic stability, but it can contribute to increased psychosocial wellbeing, self-esteem, and community belonging and connectedness into adulthood.

The TEACHaR program (‘Transforming Educational Achievement for Children in Home-based and Residential care’) was designed and implemented by Anglicare Victoria in response to evidence that children and young people living in OHC often experience poor education outcomes in comparison to the general student population. As such, the program aims to:

• Strengthen student school engagement and attendance in compulsory schooling

• Lift student literacy, numeracy and academic skills

• Support students to obtain results that are more consistent with their potential and ability\

• Support students to complete Year 12 or its equivalent at the same rate as others in the community

• Support students to develop more positive feelings and attitudes towards learning