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    Previously Looked After Children (PLAC)

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    Supporting the Education of Previously Looked-After Children

    Since September 2018, Virtual Schools have had a statutory duty to provide advice, guidance and information to schools, parents and a range of professionals, working to improve the educational outcomes of previously looked after children. The Virtual School promotes a culture of high aspirations, progress and achievements for all our vulnerable children and young people.  However, the Virtual School is not the corporate parent for PLAC, so does not case hold these children. 

    PLAC Status  

    For a child to be classified as PLAC, they must have been under the care of a Local Authority for 1 day or more before moving to a new order of permanence. 

    • A child’s new order of permanence (adoption, special guardianship order,* or child arrangement order*) will state within the first few pages that, prior to the order being granted, the child was in the care of a named Local Authority. This indicates that they were a child in care/ looked after prior to the new order of permanence.  
    • *Not all children with a special guardianship or child arrangement order will have been ‘looked after’ by a local authority and may not be classified as PLAC. If the order of permanence does not clearly state that the child has previously been in care, schools can contact the relevant post adoption or post SGO team to request this information.  Adoption UK suggest that schools can request a letter from the Local Authority where the child was looked after immediately prior to their order of permanence.  
    • If a child returns to their birth parents after a period of being looked after/in care, this is categorised as reunification. This is not a new order of permanence and so PLAC status will not apply. 
    • The DfE states that schools should be ‘satisfied’ of PLAC status in order to record this information on the Autumn term school census and receive pupil premium plus funding.  

    Key Aims

    • Make visible the needs of care experienced children and raise awareness of attachment aware and trauma informed practice
    • Promote relational practice that ensures positive educational experiences and achievement for PLAC 
    • Enhance partnerships between parents/ carers, education settings and other relevant professionals 
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    Responsibilities of Early Years Settings

    As an early years provider here is an overview of your responsibilities for Previously Looked After Children and how we can support you as a Virtual School.

    Working with the Virtual School 

    At the Virtual School we are able to provide advice and guidance to early years settings, parents and a range of professionals around improving the educational outcomes of previously looked after children. If you would like to discuss support for all PLAC pupils or if you like to talk about the needs of an individual child you can contact us at vsextendedduties@hants.gov.uk You will need to gain permission from parents to discuss individual children.

    Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

    PLAC children aged 3 and 4 are eligible for the Early Years Pupil Premium, which provides additional funding to help close the attainment gap. As a setting, you are expected to:

    • Identify eligible children (in partnership with parents/carers)
    • Use the funding to support their learning and development
    • Track and evaluate the impact of the support provided

    Safeguarding and Welfare

    Under the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), you must safeguard and promote the welfare of all children. For PLAC, this includes being aware of:

    • The potential impact of early trauma or attachment difficulties
    • The importance of emotional security and consistent care

    Partnership with Parents and Guardians

    Work closely with adoptive parents or guardians to understand the child’s background and needs. This partnership is key to providing consistent and sensitive care.

    Training and Awareness

    While not a legal requirement, it is strongly recommended that staff receive training on:

    • Attachment and trauma-informed practice.
    • The specific needs of PLAC and how to support them effectively

    The Virtual School provide a range of free training for setting. Course: Training Offer | Hampshire Virtual School

    1.     Post Adoption Support

    Support from the post adoption team has to be initiated by the child’s parents so you would need to suggest/ explain this to parents and encourage them to do so. Our local adoption service Adopt South provide advice, guidance and support to adoptive families. More information can be found on their website at www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/adoptsouth 

     They also operate a telephone support line on 0300 3000 001 which can be accessed Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm (4.30pm Friday)  

    Post SGO Support

    Support for children subject to a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) can be accessed through Hampshire's Family Connections Service. Support must usually be requested by the special guardian, so settings should encourage families to seek support where needed.

    The service can provide advice, guidance and access to specialist support to help children and families thrive. Further information is available on the Hampshire County Council website: 

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    Early Years Funding

    Pupil Premium Plus Funding – From Year R

    Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) is additional funding provided to schools to help support the education of children who are previously looked after. This funding is designed to help close the attainment gap and ensure that previously looked after children have the best possible opportunities to succeed in school. The decision on use of PP+ spending sits with the school and it must be focused on education; however, the views of parents/carers should be considered.

    Once a school is ‘satisfied’ with the child’s status and they qualify as PLAC, they can amend their school census record. Ultimately, a headteacher takes responsibility for a school census, registers and DfE returns. PLAC status must be recorded on schools’ Autumn (October) Census in order to receive pupil premium plus (PP+) funding for the following financial year. Each child recorded as PLAC on the Autumn Census currently generates £2690 (2026-2027).
     

    Further information on Pupil Premium Plus is available via the resources links at the top of this page.

    Early Years Pupil Premium Funding – Preschools/Nurseries/Childminders

    The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) aims to support early years settings in narrowing the achievement gap between children from certain potentially vulnerable groups, including previously looked after children, and their peers. Its purpose is to enhance the progress of these children in education through focused and strategic interventions and support, encouraging practitioners to give particular attention to their development.

    Previously looked after children (PLAC), including those who left care through adoption, a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or a Child Arrangements Order (CAO), are entitled to Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) if they are accessing government-funded early education. In England, PLAC children are eligible for EYPP at ages 3 and 4, and adopted children aged 2 may also qualify for a funded early education place. 
     

    Further information on Early Years Pupil Premium is available via the resources links at the top of this page.

    Early Years Funded Hours - Preschools/Nurseries/Childminders

    Early Years funded hours are government-funded hours for children to attend EYs education (preschools, nurseries or childminders) before they begin formal schooling. Depending on the age and circumstances of the child, different amounts of hours are available via government funding.

    Previously looked after children (PLAC) are entitled to the same universal and extended early education entitlements as other children, but they may also benefit from additional eligibility routes and funding support:
     
    • All 3 and 4 year olds, including PLAC children, are entitled to 15 hours per week of universal funded early education for 38 weeks of the year.
    • Eligible 3 and 4 year olds may receive an additional 15 hours per week (30 hours in total) if they meet the working parent eligibility criteria.
    • Children aged 2 who have been adopted from care are entitled to a funded early education place, regardless of family income, through the disadvantaged 2-year-old entitlement.

    Term time hours are calculated on the child attending for 38 weeks per year.

    Further information on Early Years Funded Hours is available via the resources links at the top of this page.

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    Key Documents