Education of
Children Living in Care
Education is our Future
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions identify some areas that can cause concern
and the answers give examples of the advice the education team can provide.
If you have any other questions, which are not answered here, please contact
us at childrensplanningunit@bexley.gov.uk.
Q1. Whose responsibility is it to set up a Personal Education
Plan (PEP)?
The PEP is part of the Care Plan which is prepared by the
child's social worker. It is the social worker who should initiate the
process but the designated teacher in each school has a responsibility to ensure
each child living in care on their school roll has a PEP.
Q2. Does having a PEP mean that Individual Education
Plans (IEPs) or Pastoral Support Programmes (PSPs) are not needed?
IEPs and PSPs are school-based plans. Personal Education Plans
are much broader. PEPs cross-reference to other plans in place but generally
do not replace them. However, the PEP meeting can be used to support the development
of these other plans.
Q3. A foster child has moved into the area but all local schools
are full. What happens next?
Schools and the Local Education Authority operate an Admissions
Appeals process. You should be given information on this process if your request
for a place is turned down. The Admissions Team in Hill View can explain the
process in more detail.
Q4. A school does not want to take a foster child. What do
I do?
Schools should offer a place where they have a vacancy in the
appropriate age-group unless there is a specific reason for not doing so, for
example, they cannot meet the child's specific needs as set down in
a Statement.
Q5. A foster child needs extra help with English and maths.
How can I get this?
The child may receive support through the Special Needs system
in school if this is appropriate. Speak to the class/form tutor or designated
teacher about this. The Education Liaison Officers may be able to seek funding
for additional support in school or in the home in particular cases. Such requests
should generally be discussed at the PEP meeting.
Q6. A foster child has been excluded for a fixed-term. How
do I get work for them?
Schools should provide work for pupils excluded for more than
1 day but this has to be requested by the parent/carer. It is generally expected
that the work will be collected from and returned to the school by the parent/carer.
Q7. A foster child is being bullied at school. What should
I do?
Speak to the class/form tutor and designated teacher for looked
after children in the school. Refer to the Head Teacher if there is no improvement.
Ask to see the schools anti-bullying policy. Use the PEP to address ongoing issues.
Q8. The school/social worker does not respond to my telephone
messages. How do I make contact?
If no response is received after a number of attempts and there
is no good reason, e.g. absence, seek the support of the Head Teacher or social
workers manager in writing and copy this to the Education Liaison Officers.
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