Virtual School previously looked after children advisor
A previously looked after child potentially remains vulnerable and all staff should have the skills, knowledge and understanding to keep previously looked after children safe.
Pupil Premium Plus funding for PLAC
Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) allocations are paid on a financial year basis.
Schools October Census return will determine the level of funding you receive for each designation of PP+.
Academy Schools are funded directly by the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). Maintained and independent schools are funded by the schools finance team within Council.
To qualify for PLAC (Previously Looked After Children) status, children need to have been in the care of a local authority, before a new order of permanence; that is adoption, special guardianship order or child arrangement order (previously residency orders).
PLAC children are entitled to the highest level of PP+ - £2,570 (2024 to 2025)
See the gov.uk website page for more information, Pupil premium overview - (gov.uk)
PP+ funding is provided to improve the education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Schools should ensure that PP+ is focused on effective approaches to raising pupils educational attainment, schools must use their PP+ in line with the ‘menu of approaches’ set by the Department for Education. You can find out more about using PP+ here, Pupil Premium Plus guidance for school leaders (gov.uk)
CATCH: Children And Trauma Community Hub
This is an online support platform that provides accessible tools to inform and empower families supporting children who have experienced early life trauma and are now under: Adoption, Special Guardianship Order or child Arrangements Order.
This is applicable to parents and carers with children attending schools or settings in Worcestershire.
Our upcoming workshop will demonstrate how you can make use of CATCH’s services.
Date: Tuesday 10 December 2024
Time: 11am to midday
To book onto the workshop, please contact: virtualschool@worcestershire.gov.uk
If you do not have a CATCH membership and would like to be a member, please contact: jbusby@worcestershire.gov.uk
Trauma Informed Schools UK: Online conference
Worcester Virtual School will fund places to this upcoming online conference:
Cutting Edge Interventions in Trauma Informed and Therapeutic Parenting for Looked After Children
Suitable for foster carers, kinship carers and adoptive parents
Date: Monday 27 January 2025
Time: 9.30am to 4:00pm
To request a place, please email: virtualschool@worcestershire.gov.uk
Cutting Edge Trauma Informed and Therapeutic Parenting for Looked After Children.pdf
Useful websites
- Adoption Central England (ACE) - ACE provides adoption services and adoption support to children and families.
- Adoption UK - A charity providing support, community and advocacy for those parenting or supporting children who cannot live with their birth parents
- PAC UK - PAC provides information and advice to anyone who has been affected by adoption or other forms of permanent care, as well as the professionals who support them, with expert, independent advice and counselling