Ministers are to receive regular reports on plans to improve the education of children in care, it was announced yesterday.

One of the first moves has been to identify a senior figure to act as "national champion" to these youngsters.

The decision was announced when a working party chaired by Hugh Henry, Education Minister, reported its findings .

Anna Fowlie, team leader for children and young people at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), is to be seconded to the Scottish Executive to work with councils on the education of what are officially termed "looked-after children".

Ms Fowlie is expected to be in post next Monday, initially on a one-year secondment.

A local government source said: "I'm sure Anna will bring a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to the post. This is an area she cares passionately about."

Scotland has nearly 13,000 children in care, and the education they receive has been consistently criticised.

Figures in November showed that half of those who left care at the age of 16 or older did not have a single qualification equivalent to a foundation level Standard Grade. The other half had at least one qualification, but only 34% had both English and maths qualifications.

In contrast, 91% of Scotland's pupils gain English and maths qualifications at this level or better.

Mr Henry said he has asked councils to consider spending some of an extra £12.8m given to them to improve education for "this vulnerable group of young people in their care".

The report also includes recommendations for local authorities, teachers, social workers and health workers.

Councils should be reminded of their responsibility as "corporate parents", and there should be better training for teachers and others to ensure that they have the skills to deal with these pupils, it said.

Mr Henry said too many vulnerable young people were not fulfiling their potential.

"This report sets out a clear plan of action for everyone from the executive and councils to individual teachers and social workers," he said.

Eric Jackson, social work spokesman for Cosla, said: "It has to be recognised that it is not being in care that causes the problems - these children are particularly vulnerable."

Hugh Mackintosh, director of Barnardo's Scotland, welcomed the recommendations of the report.

He said: "We all know that good education, not least for those in care, is often the route to success."

The report's findings were also endorsed by The Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care (SIRCC).

Jennifer Davidson, director of SIRCC, said: "Supporting the educational attainment of children and young people is a critical component of foster and residential child care, and we welcome this report.