Cared for guidance for Early Years settings
Cared for children are one of our most vulnerable groups of learners.
Children in care are children who have become the responsibility of the local authority. This can happen voluntarily by parents who are struggling to cope or through an intervention by services because a child is at risk of significant harm.
Personal Education Plans (PEP)
From September 2023 it is a Sefton Local Authority requirement that children who are attending a nursery/child minder provision that they have a Personal Education Plan. The PEP is the joint responsibility of Children's Social Care (social worker) and education (designated practitioner). This can be the manager or somebody who works within the setting.
The purpose of the PEP is to support the child to progress in learning, thrive in their education setting and achieve the best outcomes. It should also support effective communication and partnership working between the education setting, Children's Social Care, the child, the carers, other relevant services and the Virtual School in the interests of the child.
When a child becomes cared for, the social worker will arrange for a PEP meeting to be convened. When a child is placed in an emergency, the PEP should be initiated within 10 working days of the first placement. The setting will be contacted to agree a date and time for the initial meeting. The child and their carers will be part of the PEP meeting.
All nursery and reception age Cared For Children (from the age of 2) will have an Early Years PEP.
PEP reviews
It is a requirement that PEPs are reviewed and updated once a term.
It is primarily the responsibility of the education/ nursery setting to determine the most appropriate time for the review and consult with the Social Worker to agree a date and time for the meeting. It is essential that carers are involved, and it is important that the child can contribute their own views (My views, wishes and feelings) prior to the meeting. It may be appropriate to invite other attendees such as representatives of SEND, CAMHS, Virtual School, as required.
The Virtual School's Role is to be a champion of Cared For Children in all educational settings. We work closely with the Educational Psychologist Team and Early Years Consultants who offer advice and support to schools under our direction, to ensure that pupil is provided with the appropriate provision to meet their individual needs.
What we do:
- Provide advice and guidance for practitioners working with Cared For Children
- Ensure all Cared For Children have a PEP and quality assure these PEPs
- Ensure all Local Authority services and agencies prioritise Cared For Children in their work and practice.
- Track progress and attainment for all Cared For Children in an educational setting
- Manage and allocate Pupil Premium Plus (funding)
- Liaise with all related services and professionals in the interests of the Cared For Child.