This excellent and timely book starts from the indisputable premise that the educational experiences and progress of young people in public care have been neglected and little is known about this group of often severely disadvantaged young people. It studies official policies and practices and the experiences of young people themselves and demonstrates that many of the young people leaving care, despite their often negative school and family experiences, have high hopes and expectations of their futures, many aiming for higher education. It should be read by all social and community workers, educationalists, policy-makers and politicians - all of whom need to be better informed of the valuable contribution these young people could make to society.