Councils could do better when it comes to the education of children in their care, according to a new report from the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).

The report, Education of looked after children, said the education local authorities were providing was ‘overall still not good' for the children in their care. According to the National Statistics Office, 60,900 children were looked after by councils in March 2005. The new guide aims to help councillors focus on the educational needs of children and young people.