Frequently Asked Questions

Every child and young person in public care needs a Personal Education Plan. This should be completed with the child/young person and all the relevant people involved in their life, to ensure they can achieve the best they can from their education. It is an opportunity to explore access to services and support; to reduce the risk of broken schooling; agree tasks to be completed, in order for goals to be reached; and most importantly it will be the child’s record of achievement and progress, including academic and non-academic achievements.

The Personal Education Plan is a statutory requirement and it is the responsibility of the child’s Social Worker to ensure that each child has a PEP in place. The PEP is the vehicle to document agreed actions and progress drawn up from a multi agency meeting, with contributions from all involved with the child’s education. It is most important for the child to be fully involved in the PEP process.

It is recommended that the PEP be reviewed at the same time as the care plan, for example, within 28 days, 3 months, 6 months etc. This is to ensure the link between the PEP and the Care Plan. However, the PEP may be reviewed at any such time that changes occur within the child’s education or at the request of the child themselves. Educational decisions should not be agreed without first reviewing the PEP. As review dates may prove difficult to arrange, due to coinciding with school holidays arrangements should be made to ensure that review dates are at least every 6 months.

LACES is the Isle of Wight Children’s Services Looked after Children’s Education Service.

LACES are a small multi disciplinary team working to improve the educational attainment and participation of children and young people in public care. LACES provide support, advice, information and training to Social Workers, Designated Teachers and Parents/Carers. The team also provide a variety of support to children and young people looked after in a range of settings such as, school, home, the community or at LACES.
LACES have a drop-in centre where young people are able to take part in activities and receive support with homework and learning. It is open Monday to Thursday 3.30pm – 5.00pm. Activities are also provided during school holidays.

Young people and children in care are among the most vulnerable in schools. Many have experienced tremendous personal upheaval and are suffering from confusion and stress arising from physical or sexual abuse, neglect, rejection, bereavement or family breakdown.

National research and inspection has highlighted the important factors which work against the success of looked after children at school. In the past, carers, teachers and social workers have not given sufficient priority to looked after children’s educational progress and attainment, tending to focus more on issues relating to their care plan, parental contact and the relationship with their extended family.

Isle of Wight Council recognises that looked after children’s needs will be better met if all the agencies supporting them work together. Isle of Wight Council have developed a specialist Looked After Children’s Education Service (LACES) with qualified teachers and support staff. At local education authority (LEA) level, information is collected about the achievement of looked after children so that their progress can be tracked and monitored.

Education is important to all children and young people, including those in public care. Quite often education can be the one area of a looked after child’s life that is stable and consistent. Maintaining continuity at school supports the security of placements with foster carers. School is significant part of a child’s daily life and routine: somewhere to develop self confidence and esteem; to receive positive praise and encouragement; to learn to build relationships with both adults and peers; and to develop and learn to raise aspirations.

Each school has a Designated Teacher for looked after a child, who is responsible to monitor progress in school and to act as an advocate. Training is provided by the LEA to help them fulfil their vital role in giving educational and emotional support to looked after children. They will ensure looked after children are included within the school setting and coordinate services for support where necessary. The Designated Teacher attends each looked after child’s PEP ensuring that educational information is available and accurate. They liaise closely with parents / carers / Social Workers to ensure the swift transfer of information and notification of any changes.