Children who have ever (even for one day) been in the care of a local authority in England or Wales, and left care with an adoption order, special guardianship order (SGO) or child arrangement order (CAO) (previously known as a residence order), are classed as previously looked-after children (PLAC). This also includes children who have been internationally adopted from 'state care' outside England or Wales.
Many care experienced children may have experienced grief or loss, or had traumatic experiences in their early lives. Many children entered the care system due to abuse or neglect. It is recognised that their needs do not change overnight and that they do not stop being vulnerable just because they are now in a loving home. Their early life experiences may have a lasting effect on them emotionally, socially and academically.
The government has recognised the needs of PLAC, and has put in legislation to help raise their educational attainment and close the gap between PLAC students and their peers.
For more information, view Educational support for previously looked-after children in Enfield – advice for parents and carers (PDF, 411.65 KB)
Support available
Priority school admission
This means that even if the school is over-subscribed, the child should still be offered a place. The only exception to this is if the child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP), whereby the legislation surrounding SEN will take precedence over their PLAC status.
Pupil premium plus
£2,570 per pupil for the 2024 to 2025 academic year.
Adoption and special guardianship support fund
Support from the adoption and special guardianship support fund in order to access therapeutic support. In Enfield this is accessed via Adopt London North for adoptive families:
- Adopt London North:
- Telephone 0800 694 0101 (option 2)
- Email north@adoptlondon.org.uk
- Special Guardians – support is accessed via the Special Guardianship Team:
- Telephone 020 8379 8490
- Email specialguardians@enfield.gov.uk
Previously looked-after children officer
Families can contact Jane Manning (the council’s PLAC Officer) about any educational issues, including SEND and EHCP’s, attendance, suspension and exclusions, homework, or transition. Jane can give advice and guidance, or signpost you to an appropriate service.
Please contact Jane by:
- Telephone 020 4526 7039 (Monday to Wednesday)
- Email jane.manning@enfield.gov.uk
Jane also holds termly coffee mornings for special guardians, and separately for adoptive parents, regarding educational issues. Look out for details.
Frequently asked questions for parents and special guardians
Is there anyone at my child’s school I should talk to?
Every school has a teacher whose role it is to be the 'designated teacher for looked-after, and previously looked-after children'. It would be a good idea to arrange an appointment with this person when your child starts school, or at any point afterwards, as it can help school to understand your child and any needs they may have.
Is my child entitled to any additional support at school?
If your child has ever been 'looked after' by the local authority (even for 24 hours), or has been adopted from state care abroad, they will be entitled to priority school admission. This means that even if the school is over-subscribed, they should still be awarded a place.
Schools are entitled to claim pupil premium plus (currently £2,570 per year) to help raise educational attainment and close the gap between PLAC students and their peers.
Do schools have to tell parents what they spend the pupil premium funding on?
The Department for Education consider it to be good practice for schools to work in partnership with parents, and to have transparent processes in place. It is not a personal budget for the child, but should be used to address the needs of the cohort of children who receive it. Often it is used for things like additional tuition, staff training, assessment (including educational psychologist assessment) or counselling.
When does pupil premium funding start and finish?
Any child attending school from the start of Reception to the end of Year 11, is eligible to receive pupil premium plus. Children who are electively home educated or are post-16 students are currently not eligible for pupil premium plus. Children who return home to live with their parents do not qualify for it.
How can I make sure my child’s school is receiving pupil premium plus funding?
In order, for schools to access the funding, parents and guardians must declare their child’s adoptive, SGO or CAO status directly to the school before the school completes the October census. Parents and guardians must provide evidence, for example, a copy of the legal order, or a confirmation letter from the local authority which placed their child. Parents should not need to declare their child’s status again until their child changes school.
We have a special guardianship order but our child was never 'looked after', will my child receive pupil premium plus?
Unfortunately, your child is not entitled to this benefit currently. However, you are still entitled to receive advice and guidance from Enfield’s PLAC Officer, Jane Manning (see contact details above).
My child is struggling at school, who should I contact?
In the first instance, contact your child’s class teacher or SENDCo (primary school) or form tutor, head of year or SENDCo (secondary school). It may also be useful to include the designated teacher for LAC or PLAC in any discussion.
What is a suspension or exclusion?
An exclusion occurs when the head teacher has decided that as a result of a child’s behaviour they can no longer attend the school either permanently or for a specified period of time (suspension). The exclusion has to be in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy and national guidance on exclusion.
If your child has been suspended or excluded, please contact Jane Manning (see contact details above) for advice and guidance.
I think my child has additional needs, what should I do?
Please contact the school SENDCo to discuss. If you have worries regarding your child’s behaviour at school please talk to staff.
If you need any help, guidance or support with any educational issue, please contact Jane Manning (see contact details above).