Work

Social capital as a mechanism for exploring the low educational achievements of looked after children

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this article is to explore whether the concept of social capital is helpful in explaining the educational underachievement of looked after children. Design/methodology/approach Analysis of data on educational achievement and social care in a cohort of 1,407 children over the age of 15 who left care in two Scottish local authorities between 2000 and 2005. Findings The educational attainments of children do reflect key factors in their backgrounds before entry to care but their characteristics also lead them to be placed in specific placements that have differing abilities for promoting social capital. An examination of evidence on bonding social capital, bridging social capital, and linking social capital and trust, shows that social capital theory helps to theoretically interpret the low educational achievements of looked after children. Originality/value The large and comprehensive data set permits a factor analysis of background and care variables, thus clarifying the significance of each in explaining children's educational attainments and assessing the value of a social capital perspective.

Source: Journal of Children s Services

DOI: 10.1108/17466661311309781

Authors: Michele McClung, Vernon Gayle

Institutions: Glasgow City Council, University of Essex, University of Stirling, Institute for Social and Economic Research

Language: English

Topic: Child Welfare and Adoption

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2022074368