What is the Virtual School and what can they offer?
- Has a statutory responsibility to ensure the quality of PEPs and oversee the spending of Pupil Premium Plus funds (PP+).
- The VS will quality assure the PEPs before the PP+ funds are given to schools.
- PEP Coordinators will monitor the progress of Children We Look After and work together to ensure that PEPs are fit for purpose reflecting young person's needs.
- The VT Head shares with the VS Team the progress of the Children We Look After and the quality of their PEPs
What is the role of the Designated teacher (DT)?
The Designated Teacher MUST be a qualified teacher, but access to the PEPs can be delegated to a number of staff such as a pastoral lead, SENCO, class teacher or DSL. However, the overall responsibility to sign off the PEP is with the Designated Teacher. The DT:
- Ensures the PEP is kept updated.
- Ensures colleagues have the information and understanding about the child's needs to provide an education that supports, inspires and challenges them.
- Shares the termly progress and current attainment data through the PEP.
- Provides evidence of the impact of interventions funded through Pupil Premium Plus recorded in the child's PEP.
- Ensures that the PEP is a robust, live and personalised document that reflects the child's needs and the school's plan for meeting those needs.
- Has detailed knowledge of the child and the school
- Will need to complete the PEP through Welfare Call and submit the form before the due date.
- Will be held accountable to provide evidence of the effective and efficient use of Pupil Premium Plus.
What is the role of the Social Worker (SW)?
- MUST initiate and ensure the PEP meeting takes place within 20 days of a child coming into care.
- MUST arrange the termly PEP meeting liaising with the DT and parents/carers.
- The SW should inform the VS of the date of the PEP meeting by inserting a date into the PEP on Welfare Call.
- During the PEP:
- add to the discussions about the child's needs
- agree actions needed to reduce barriers to learning
- agree targets for the term
- discuss how PP+ will be spent to support the child.
After the PEP is completed, SW must ensure the PEP is put on ICS.
Why do schools need a Designated Teacher?
We know that Children We Look After may have had disrupted learning and may have missed extended periods of school. Children we Look After may also have special educational needs (SEN). Their gaps in learning and the emotional impact of their experiences may lead to significant barriers to making progress. The data for children we look after & PLAC shows that they do not perform as well at Key Stage 2 and GCSE level when compared to children who have not been looked after. The designated teacher's role is statutory to help ensure that effective practice becomes universal.
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