Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children

Adopted on: October 2023

Review Date:  October 2024

Chair of Governors: Mrs C Sellers

Headteacher: Mrs L Wilmer

Designated Teacher:  Mrs J Dickens

Introduction

Looked After Children (LAC) and Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) are one of the most vulnerable groups in society and it is nationally recognised that there is considerable educational under achievement when compared to other groups.  It is recognised that schools are key in helping to raise the educational standards and improving the life chances of LAC and PLAC and in tackling the cause of social exclusion through careful planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Context and Principles

Under the Children Act 1989, a child is looked after by a local authority if he/she is in their care or is provided with accommodation for more than 24 hours.  They include the following children: children who are accommodated by the local authority under a voluntary agreement with their parents (section 20); children who are the subject of a care order (section 31 (1)) or interim care order (section 38); and children who are the subject of emergency orders for the protection of the child (section 44).

A previously looked after child is one who no longer looked after in England and Wales because he/she is the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order which includes provisions relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person, or has been adopted from ‘state care’ outside England and Wales.

The Role of the Designated Teacher

The designated person must be a qualified teacher.  The role became statutory in September 2009 under the Children and Young Person’s Act 2008.  Ideally, the designated teacher should also be a senior member of staff who is able to influence decisions about the teaching and learning, plus promote the educational achievements of every LAC and PLAC.
At Co-op Academy Friarswood, the designated teacher is Mrs Jennifer Dickens.  Mrs Dickens is also our SENDs lead.

Some of the responsibilities of the designated teacher include the following:

• Taking lead responsibility for ensuring school staff understand the things which can affect how LAC and PLAC learn and achieve and how the whole school supports the educational achievement of these pupils
• Have high expectations of LAC and PLAC learning and set targets to accelerate educational progress
• Is aware of the emotional, psychological and social effects of loss and separation (attachment awareness) from birth families and that some children may find it difficult to build relationships of trust with adults because of their experiences and how this might affect the child’s behaviour
• Understand how important it is to see LAC and PLAC as individuals rather than as a homogenous group, not publicly treat them differently from their peers and show sensitivity about who else knows about their looked after or previously looked after status
• Appreciate the central importance of the LAC personal education plan (PEP) in helping to create a shared understanding between teachers, carers, social workers and most importantly the child’s own understanding of how they are being supported
• Have the level of understanding they need of the role of social workers, Virtual School Headteacher and carers, and how the function of the PEP fits into the wider care planning duties of the authority which look after the child; and for PLAC, understand the importance of involving the child’s parents or guardians in decisions affecting their child’s education, be a contact for parents or guardians who want advice or have concerns about their child’s progress at school
• Facilitate and encourage LAC to join extra-curricular activities and maximise out of school learning opportunities
• Be pro-active in supporting transitions and planning when moving children into a new phase in their education
• Promote inclusion in all areas of school life
• Children in care are among the groups who are most vulnerable to bullying.  The Designated Teacher must ensure that they are actively monitoring and preventing bullying in school by raising awareness through the school’s behaviour and anti-bullying policy

Personal Education Plan (PEP)

All LAC must have a PEP, which their social worker will take the lead in developing.  The PEP is a record of the child’s education and forms part of the overall care plan.  It provides clear and shared understanding about the teaching and learning provision to ensure their academic progress.  The social worker, parents, carers and the child may be invited to the PEP meeting to ensure the views of all stakeholders are considered.  The school’s role in this plan is crucial and at least one member of staff who knows the child well will attend the meeting to establish and subsequently review this.  The PEP should set clear objectives or targets which relate to academic achievement as well as out of school activities and wherever necessary behavioural and wellbeing targets.  If a child moves school, the PEP should be forwarded, as a matter of urgency, to the new school when known.  In relation to the PLAC, although they no longer need a PEP, the Designated Teacher should continue to consider their educational needs.  The Designated Teacher should maintain links with the Virtual School Headteacher who must make advice and information available, in order to promote the educational achievement of this group of PLAC.

Actions

As for all of our pupils, Co-op Academy Friarswood is committed to helping every LAC to achieve the highest standards they can, including out of school activities and supporting career aspiration for further and higher education.  This can be measured by improvements in their achievement and attendance.

Policy links

This policy links with several other policies

• Behaviour Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Policy
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• SEN Policy
• SEN Information Report

Co-op Academy Friarswood will ensure that the needs of LAC and PLAC are reflected in all aspects of our provision, e.g. through assemblies and RSE/PSHE.  We will raise awareness and challenge negative stereotypes about them to ensure they achieve their full potential.

Responsibilities of the Headteacher

• Identify a Designated Teacher for LAC and PLAC
• Ensure cover arrangements are put in place should the Designated Teacher not be available to carry out these legal duties
• Ensure procedures are in place to monitor and track the admission, progress, attendance and exclusions (if any) of LAC and PLAC and that appropriate action is taken where outcomes fall below expectations
• Report on the progress, attendance and conduct of the LAC and PLAC
• Ensure that all staff receive relevant training and are aware of their responsibilities under this policy and related guidance
• Ensure that staff are briefed on the regulations and practice outlines in this policy

Responsibilities of the Governing Body

The role of the Governing Body under Section 20 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 places duty on them to designate a member of staff (the Designated Teacher) as having responsibility to promote educational achievement of LAC and PLAC.

To this effect, the Academy Governing Council (AGC) should:

• Ensure that the necessary provision is being made for any pupil who is LAC or PLAC
• Ensure that the Designated Teacher is given the appropriate level of support and be given the opportunity to keep up to date with relevant training
• Ensure the Designated Teacher disseminates relevant training and provides support for all members of staff that will influence teaching and learning for LAC and PLAC
• In partnership with the Headteacher, maintain responsibility for monitoring how well the role is working.  As part of this monitoring an annual report will be received from the Designated Teacher with regard to reviewing the effective implementation of the  policy

Responsibilities of all Staff

All of our staff will:

• Have high expectations for the educational and personal achievement of LAC and PLAC, as for all pupils
• Maintain LAC and PLAC confidentiality and ensure they are supported sensitively
• Respond positively to a pupil’s request to be the named member of staff with whom they can talk to when they feel it necessary
• Respond promptly to the Designated Teacher’s request for information
• Work to enable LAC and PLAC to achieve stability and success within the school
• Promote self-esteem for LAC and PLAC
• Have an understanding of the key issues that affect the learning of LAC and PLAC

Confidentiality

Information on LAC and PLAC will be shared with school staff on a ‘need to know’ basis.  The Designated Teacher will discuss what information is shared with which school staff at the PEP meeting.  Once this has been agreed by the social worker, carer, young person and other parties, complete confidentiality will be maintained and will comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidance

Partnership Working

Co-op Academies Trust and Co-op Academy Friarswood value partnership working.  In order to secure the best possible outcomes for LAC and PLAC, it is essential that we work with parents / carers, social workers, the Virtual School Headteacher and other external partners to ensure we are providing the best possible life chances for these children.

Further Information

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018

Statutory guidance for the Designated Teacher for LAC and PLAC

Statutory guidance for promoting the education of LAC and PLAC

All people will be treated equally including those within the nine protected characteristics.

Co-op Academy Friarswood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people / vulnerable adults.  We expect all staff, visitors and volunteers to share this commitment.