The majority of looked after children have SEND. It is important that all children with SEND receive the educational provision which meets their needs. However, for looked after children, many of whom will have had difficult and unstable home and school lives before coming into care, it is imperative that their needs are quickly and efficiently assessed and provided for so that the effect of any instability on their education is reduced to a minimum.
Looked after children are some of the most vulnerable young people. However, by working together, Ribbon Academy will ensure that any looked after child’s educational experience is a positive one and one that will lead them to achieve their full potential. Timely decisions on matters arising for looked after children will help to ensure a positive educational experience. Pupils have a Personal Education Plan (PEP). The key people who should attend a PEP meeting include:
- The Child
- Social Worker
- Carer and Parent (if appropriate)
- Designated Teacher.
All those contributing to the PEP process should involve the child, however if it is deemed that it is not suitable for the child to attend their meeting e.g. due to their age or them not wanting to engage in the process, this should be recorded in the PEP. Every effort should be made to encourage the child to contribute to their PEP.
The PEP should:
- outline what needs to happen and any interventions in place to meet the child’s educational needs;
- provide information on any social and emotional needs that may prevent or distract from learning and educational progress;
- record current attainment and progress data;
- include a minimum of three short term SMART targets which will ensure progress from this term to the next and one longer term target;
- capture any special educational needs, summarise support in place and any action needed;
- set out how the child’s aspirations will be supported and encouraged from the earliest stage
- set out and work to support the child’s aspirations;
- provide information which helps all who are supporting the child to understand, support and plan for their specific individual needs.
PEPs are reviewed termly and shared with the Durham Virtual School, who monitor looked after children very closely to make sure they make good progress and make the best of the opportunities on offer.
