Fostering Achievement has been running since 2007 and provides bespoke educational support and resources to looked after children living with foster families in Northern Ireland.

The programme’s impact is increasingly apparent in improved outcomes for young people. Of those GCSE students who received tuition from Fostering Achievement in 2014, almost twice as many gained five or more A*-C grades compared to the general looked after child population.

Fostering Achievement works in partnership with all five statutory Health and Social Care Trusts and independent fostering providers in Northern Ireland. It is commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board with some additional funding from the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

Fostering Achievement is shortlisted for the Learning Award and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in November.

Kathleen Toner, director of The Fostering Network Northern Ireland said: 'We are delighted that Fostering Achievement has been shortlisted for this prestigious award.

'Working with foster and kinship foster carers as primary educators, Fostering Achievement has been in place now for ten years. Each year we make available a wide range of provision to more than 1400 children and young people which includes one to one tuition to almost 600.

'Fostering Achievement provides so much for the children and young people who take part, it is a unique programme which enables foster carers, in partnership with social workers, teachers and the third sector, to make a vital difference to the lives of many individual young people and give them an opportunity for a brighter and more optimistic future.

'We believe that this investment in the children of Northern Ireland is one that must continue, and one that will benefit the whole of our community for years to come.

'We are aspirational for all young people in foster care and we believe Fostering Achievement ”

You can read more about the awards on the Children and Young People Now website.