Section outline

  • Previously Looked-After Children – Key Information for Parents and Carers

    The Virtual School has a statutory duty to provide advice and guidance to parents, carers, education settings and other professionals to promote and improve the educational experiences and outcomes of previously looked after children (PLAC). Hampshire Virtual School provides this service for the families and associated professionals of children attending Hampshire early years settings, even if the child does not live within the county. If you live in Hampshire but your child attends an early years setting in a different local authority, then you should contact the Virtual School in the area that your child is being educated. 

    Previously Looked After Child (PLAC) Status  

    For a child to be classified as PLAC, they must have been under the care of a Local Authority for one day or more before moving to a new order of permanence through adoption, a special guardianship order (SGO), care arrangement order (CAO) or a residency order (RO, issued up until 2014). 

    What Can I Expect from my Child's Early Years Setting?
     
    • Ensure collaboration between key staff (Designated Teacher/Designated Lead, Key Person, DSL, SENDCO, safeguarding governor/committee member/manager)
    • Understand individual needs and barriers to learning, using available needs analysis tools
    • Prioritise PLAC in planning, interventions, and support
    • Regular communication about the strengths and the needs of your child. Whilst it is NOT a statutory requirement, a personalised plan, such as an Education Support Plan (ESP), created collaboratively between school and home, is valuable
    • Build strong relationships with the child, ensuring child voice is at the centre of any decisions made
    • Utilise Pupil Premium Plus (Year R) or Early Years Pupil Premium (preschool/nursery) to effectively support the PLAC in education, narrowing the disadvantage gap.
    • Provide relevant training and support for staff