Education of Children in Care (including PEP, The Virtual School & Pupil Premium Plus)

Looked-after children face significant educational disadvantages, yet consistent advocacy from informed adults can completely transform a child’s learning trajectory. This professional development programme equips foster carers, adopters, and social care professionals with the legal knowledge, statutory tools, and practical confidence needed to champion educational achievement. Learn how to navigate complex Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) frameworks, maximise dedicated funding streams, and build ambitious futures for children in care.

Key Learning Objectives

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand Statutory Legal Duties: Know how Section 22(3A) of the Children Act 1989 obligates local authorities to promote educational achievement, and how your role supports this duty.
• Navigate the SEND Framework & EHCPs: Understand the SEND Code of Practice, the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review), and how to request and review Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Champion High-Quality PEPs: Effectively prepare for, contribute to, and drive ambitious Personal Education Plans (PEPs) that center the child’s voice.
• Maximise Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) & Funding: Ensure ring-fenced PP+ funding and post-16 bursaries are targeted effectively for tuition, therapeutic support, and enrichment.
• Support Post-16 Pathways: Guide young people through further education, apprenticeships, higher education entitlements, and university transition support.
• Promote Everyday Learning: Create trauma-informed home learning environments, manage school transitions, prevent exclusions, and raise aspirations.

Why Choose This Course?

• Closes the Achievement Gap: With looked-after children significantly less likely to achieve standard GCSE passes or reach university, this course gives you the exact tools needed to change those statistics.
• Demystifies Complex Systems: Breaks down the roles of the Virtual School, Designated Teachers, LAs, and SEND frameworks into plain, actionable advice.
• Focuses on Practical Advocacy: Teaches you how to ask the right questions during PEP meetings, challenge low expectations, and ensure financial entitlements (PP+ and bursaries) are fully claimed.

Who Should Attend?

• Foster Carers & Adopters who want to effectively advocate for their child's educational needs and build a supportive home learning environment.
• Social Workers & Leaving Care Personal Advisers seeking to deepen their understanding of educational frameworks and post-16 pathways.
• Designated Teachers & School Staff looking to improve PEP quality, collaborate with Virtual Schools, and deploy Pupil Premium Plus effectively.

Format: This is a live training session through the platform "Zoom". It includes taught sections, small group work, work in pairs, and whole group discussions.

Hand-outs & Certificates: Downloadable course notes and certificates of attendance are provided.