Section outline

  • In September 2024, the role of Virtual Schools expanded further to specifically include championing the educational attendance, attainment and progress of children in kinship care. This responsibility extends across all education phases, including post-16 education. For sixth forms, colleges, specialist post-16 settings and other providers, this includes promoting participation, achievement, retention, progression and successful transition into adulthood for young people in kinship care.  

    What is kinship care? 

    Kinship care is when a child or young person lives full-time, or most of the time, with a relative or close family friend, usually because their parents are unable to care for them. You might see kinship carers referred to as 'family and friends carers' or 'connected people' by local authorities and in some documents. Young people in post-16 education may remain in kinship arrangements whilst progressing through sixth form, college, training, apprenticeships or other education pathways.  

    Types of kinship care 

    • special guardianship orders 

    • child arrangements orders 

    • adoption  

    • family and friends foster care 

    • private fostering arrangements 

    • informal arrangements 

    If you would like more information about the different types of kinship care, please click on the following link: 

    Previously looked-after child (PLAC) status 

    Children and young people in kinship care can also be a previously looked-after child (PLAC). For a learner to be a previously looked-after child, they will have been in local authority care and immediately moved to a new permanent arrangement through: 

    • adoption 

    • special guardianship order (SGO) 

    • residence order (RO) (prior to 2014) 

    • child arrangements order (CAO) 

    Education staff should be aware that previously looked-after child status remains relevant beyond compulsory school age because a young person's care history and lived experience may continue to influence their educational experiences, wellbeing and support needs. 

    Whilst pupil premium plus is not available in post-16 education, young people may be eligible for other forms of support, including: 

    • 16-19 Bursary Fund support 

    • Vulnerable Student Bursary (where eligibility criteria are met) 

    • Discretionary college hardship funds 

    • Care-experienced student support in further and higher education 

    • Additional transition and progression support 

    For more information, please refer to the PLAC section of our Moodle.  

    Key aims 

    • raise the visibility of the distinct needs of young people in different types of kinship care arrangements and the disadvantages they may experience 

    • promote practice that supports engagement, participation, attendance and achievement in post-16 education and training 

    • promote practice that improves educational outcomes, progression and future opportunities, helping to reduce gaps in attainment 

    • provide advice and information, on request, to kinship carers with special guardianship orders and child arrangements orders 

    • support successful transitions into employment, apprenticeships, higher education and adulthood  

    Click here to access important resources, including: