Children who have new families through adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements orders have positive futures ahead of them.
However, it is important to remember that this does not eliminate their past experiences, which can have a lasting impact, particularly at school. Teachers and schools have a pivotal role in supporting the academic, social and emotional needs of Previously Looked After Children (PLAC).
In February 2018, the Department for Education (DfE) published the following statutory guidance for maintained schools and academies: The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children.
This Guidance defines PLAC as a child “who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because they are subject to adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person… … or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales if they are in the care of or accommodated by a public authority, a religious organisation or any other organisation the sole or main purpose of which is to benefit society.”
The aim of the Guidance is to give specific support to PLAC (in addition to LAC) because they are highly likely to have had disrupted learning, may have missed extended periods of school and many of them have special educational needs (SEN). The gaps in their learning and, in many cases the emotional impact of their experiences, are likely to have become significant barriers to their progress.
Key Actions for schools are to:
- Designate a member of staff to have responsibility for promoting the educational achievement of PLAC pupils
- Ensure the designated person undertakes appropriate training
Key actions for the Virtual School are to:
- Be a source of advice & information to help parents of PLAC at schools in the area to advocate for them as effectively as possible.
EPPLAC Meetings
We would strongly advise Designated Teachers to hold regular EPPLAC (Education Plan for Previously Looked After Children) meetings for the whole cohort of PLAC within your school.
The meetings are invaluable in terms of finding out the needs of previously looked after children, so that you can plan and support them in the most effective way. By understanding how they present at home, at school and what additional challenges they may face allows education settings to support them to reach their full potential.
By understanding your cohort of previously looked after children, as a Designated Teacher you can then discuss with your SENCO and SLT the areas of need and interventions needed and how best to use the Pupil Premium Grant for this cohort within your school.
Can schools receive Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) for children in Kinship Care?
Yes, only if the child was previously a "looked-after child" and is now living with family under a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or Child Arrangements Order (CAO). This funding, also known as the "Previously Looked After" (PLAC) pupil premium, is a significant amount of funding allocated to schools for these children to address their specific needs and help them overcome challenges related to their early life experiences. However, children in kinship care who were not previously in local authority care are generally not eligible for PP+.
Who to Contact for Advice on PLAC/Kinship Care
You can contact the Aspire Virtual School by email: adminsupport@lbbd.gov.uk. The lead for PLAC in the Virtual School is Angelina Ikeako.