Virtual School for children in care
5. Previously Looked After Children (PLAC)
We offer advice and guidance, in conjunction with Adoption Counts, on the education of previously looked after children (PLAC).
Statutory duty and guidance
The statutory guidance defines previously looked after children as those who:
- are no longer looked after by a local authority in England and Wales (as defined by the Children Act 1989 or Part 6 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014) because they are the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order; or
- were adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales. ‘State care’ is care provided by a public authority, a religious organisation, or any other organisation whose sole or main purpose is to benefit society
The Virtual School have a statutory duty to provide advice and guidance around previously looked after children from age 2 in a funded education place to the end of Year 11 who are educated in a maintained school or academy.
Maintained schools and academies must have a designated teacher responsible for previously looked after children.
Pupil Premium Plus
Schools who have previously looked after children in Reception to Year 11 can claim Pupil Premium Plus. This is extra funding of £2,345 per child. Adopted children only attract Pupil Premium Plus funding if, on leaving care, they were adopted from an English or Welsh local authority.
In order to receive the funding, which is paid direct to school, the parent, guardian or carer must self-declare the child’s status and provide appropriate supporting evidence to the school. The child’s status should then be entered onto the school management system in time for the January census.
When a child changes school, the parent or guardian must self-declare again as this confidential information does not automatically transfer with the child. Schools should make sure parents and guardians are aware of this and that this information is collected to help ensure that the designated teacher for previously looked after children can support appropriately.
Find more information about funding, what documents education settings need to see and what codes need to be used:
- Pupil Premium - conditions of grant 2020 to 2021
- completing the school census (post looked after arrangements)
Promoting educational achievement
- meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children: A guide for school staff
- meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children: A guide for parents and carers of children in education in England
Personal Education Plans (PEP)
There is no statutory requirement for a PEP for previously looked after children. However, it is good practice to have regular discussions with the child and their parents, guardians or carers to:
- highlight the child’s educational strengths and needs
- listen to and document the voice of the child
- record agreed actions
- consider effective use of PPP
Schools may want to consider use of existing PEP, SEND or plan-do-review documentation to support this process.
Adoption Support Fund
The Adoption Support Fund can provide therapeutic support for adopted children. This requires a specific assessment. Find more information on the Adoption Counts website.
This fund can also provide therapeutic support for those on a Special Guardianship Order (SGO), who were looked after immediately before the SGO was granted. Find more information on the Family Rights website.
Further information, support and reading
- information for adoptive parents and those with children who left care on a special guardianship order or child arrangements (PDF 545Kb)
- Previously Looked After Children Lead: contact Nicky Boyle, Stockport Virtual School. Email: virtualschoolteam@stockport.gov.uk or call 07866 999666
- Special Guardianship - contact Michelle Orlowski, our dedicated lead, with any queries including further information regarding the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) for those on SGO. Email: michelle.orlowski@stockport.gov.uk or call 0161 474 6749
- Adoption Counts: regional adoption agency
- Adoption UK: national charity providing support and information for adoptive families and resources for schools
- Coram BAAF: organisation providing information, resources and training to agencies, individuals and professionals on matters relating to adoption. Some services are for members only
- PAC UK: information and advice about previously looked after children for education settings