Care leavers in Glasgow are less likely to stay in education or go into a job or training than other pupils.

Figures show that one in five of looked after children in the city no not go into a ‘positive destination’ on leaving school.

For the overall school population the rate in the city is one in ten.

Of the 79.5% who do go into a job training or stay in education many of them have dropped out or left the job after nine months.

Glasgow has a better rate of success than the rest of Scotland and other big local authorities with significant numbers of looked after children.

Across Scotland more than one in four 28% are in positive destinations and nine months later 14% have dropped off leaving just 57% still engaged in purposeful activity.

The figures were released to Labour who said better support is needed for young people leaving care.

Mary Fee, Labour MSP, said: “The huge drop off in care leavers being in what this government class as a positive destination should be a cause for concern.

“We go from almost three quarters of care leavers in a so called positive destination to barely over half 9 months later, and in some cases these destinations are in reality zero hours jobs with no guaranteed hours or income.

“That points to real problems in on-going support for care leavers.”

Glasgow city Council said there is a tail off for all pupils in terms of positive destinations in follow up surveys.

A spokesman said: “We have taken big strides in improving outcomes for care leavers in Glasgow over the past five years.

“Across the council there has been a sharp focus on how to ensure young, vulnerable people get the support they need to move on and develop in their lives.

“Our corporate parenting strategy is built upon a commitment that young people coming through the care system will be considered as a priority.

“Innovative programmes such as the MCR Pathways mentoring programme are providing encouragement and support to young people at vital moments in their lives.

“We must keep building on the progress made so far as this will mean that increasing numbers of care leavers will be able to fulfil their ambitions in training, education and employment.”