'Luck shouldn't come into it'

Nicola, 24, entered the care system at an early age and went on to complete a masters at the University of Glasgow.

She told the BBC Scotland news website about the differences her educational achievements have made to her life.

Nicola and her brother were placed with a family Funding to help care for children

I was in various foster placements from the age of six months until the age of six, when both my brother and I were placed with a family.

We were under the impression that this would be a short-term situation until an adoptive family could be found.

However, the weeks became months and the years rolled by and 18 years on we are still there.

I think the fact that my brother and I had a place to call home, a sense of stability and, more essentially, a caring family made such a significant difference to my life and future.

Being part of a family is so important. Just the feeling of belonging, the sense of permanence and of knowing people care, is vital to every child's wellbeing and personal development.

I feel extremely fortunate in that I have people who love me and who give me support and encouragement in all that I do.

I think this has been integral to the person I have become and has enabled me to realise my ambitions and ultimately has led me to where I am today.

Having people around me who care has been essential to my education, particularly during my years at university.

Having people around me who care has been essential to my education

But I know that it is not the same for all young people. Some, through no fault of their own, find themselves in difficult circumstances - often alone and with no-one to offer a simple word of comfort or encouragement.

I know that young people in care can find themselves the victims of negative stereotypes and, combined with financial and emotional pressures, successfully completing high school education or going to college or university is just not often an option.

I think young people in local authority care may face challenges that are often radically different from those faced by the large majority of young people.

Their educational needs need to be prioritised and attitudes changed in order to give them the chance to fulfil their potential in the face of these opposing circumstances, barriers that too many currently face.

I feel lucky but luck shouldn't come into it. In my opinion we need to improve the communication between local authority workers, from social, residential and educational workers, to foster carers and senior officers, to ensure that their roles and responsibilities are having an impact.

The lives of looked-after young people need continuity and stability and essentially listening to.

Putting them at the centre of all they do will, in my opinion, improve the future of many.

I warmly welcome any new concerted effort to implement support networks aimed at improving the educational achievements of all children in care

I know how vital that support was during my school years and how this enabled me to continue to learn and progress.

In 2005 I graduated from the University of Glasgow with a 2:1 MA (Hons) in economic and social history and film and television studies.

Throughout my time at university I was continually supported and encouraged by many, from my foster family to my tutors to my local authority, Glasgow City Council.

As part of a scheme at improving the educational attainment of looked-after children I was offered a laptop and printer to aid my studies.

Naturally I jumped at the chance - it made such a difference and enabled me to complete my coursework to a high standard, allowing me to study at home and meet course deadlines.

Glasgow City Council also ensured that my fees were paid and that additional support was provided for travelling and studying resources.

Free from the added strain of financial pressures I could focus wholly on my studies and I'm convinced all of these factors combined in helping me to obtain my degree.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at university and wanted to further my qualifications so I began to look into post-graduate courses.

I contacted the council to see whether financial support could be provided.

To my delight I was told that my course could be funded and in November of last year I graduated again from the University of Glasgow with a Master of Letters in screen studies.

What I'd really like now is take part in the Mountbatten Internship Programme which involves working in New York for a year and then eventually gaining a Cambridge International Diploma in Management.

As I look back now as a care leaver I warmly welcome any new concerted effort to implement procedures and support networks aimed at improving the educational achievements of all children in care.

I know the difference it can make and there's no reason why they can't reach their goals too.

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