COUNCIL bosses are under fire for failing pupils in Inverclyde who are under social work protection but live at home.

New figures show that they are less likely to succeed at school than those living in foster or residential care.

SNP councillor Liz Robertson has branded the situation unacceptable and demanded urgent action is taken to ensure their life chances are turned around.

She spoke out at a meeting of the health and social care committee, and it was agreed that resources would be put in place to address the issue.

Councillor Robertson said: "This is just terrifying.

"Our looked after children who live at home are absolutely our most vulnerable.

"We need to raise the aspirations of these children who live at home - we need to show our young people we have expectations for them.

"We need to show our looked after children that they can achieve."

Mrs Robertson's concerns follow the publication of a report by local health and social care bosses exposing the attainment gap among looked after children depending on whether they remained at home or were taken into care.

Those who lived in foster or residential care achieved better grades at school than those who were under social work supervision but remained in their own home.

Not one high school pupil who is looked after but lives at home achieved a National 5 exam qualification last year.

This compares with 55 per cent of looked after children in foster or residential care who achieved the qualification.

Social work bosses have now admitted they needed to act urgently and find extra funding for staff to offer teaching and support to bridge that gap.

Councillor Robertson went on to question why social work care plans for children looked after at home were failing in comparison with other cases.

She said: "Why would the most vulnerable young people not have the most support?"