A Personal Education Plan (PEP) is a statutory requirement for all children and young people aged 3 to 18 years old who are looked after by local authorities, regardless of whether they are currently in a school setting or not.
Understanding the Personal Education Plan (PEP)
The Personal Education Plan (PEP) is a vital, evolving record designed to support the educational journey of looked after children and young people. Its primary purpose is to ensure that these children receive the necessary support to achieve academically at a level comparable to their non-looked after peers and ultimately fulfill their full potential.
Who Needs a PEP and Why?
PEPs are a cornerstone of the educational support system for looked after children, ensuring their unique needs are identified and addressed.
- Statutory Requirement: It is a legal obligation for local authorities to ensure that a PEP is in place for every looked after child or young person within the specified age range.
- Age Range: The requirement spans a critical developmental and educational period, covering children from the age of three through to their 18th birthday. This includes early years, primary, secondary, and post-16 education.
- Inclusive Scope: A PEP is necessary even if a child is not attending a formal school. This ensures that their educational progress and development are monitored and supported regardless of their current learning environment.
The Purpose and Benefits of a PEP
A PEP acts as a dynamic document that outlines specific educational targets, identifies support needs, and tracks progress. It brings together all the key individuals involved in a child's life, including social workers, designated teachers, carers, and the child or young person themselves, to create a cohesive educational strategy.
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Requirement | Statutory for all looked after children and young people. |
| Age Range | From 3 years old to 18 years old. |
| Purpose | To support learning, enable academic achievement comparable to non-looked after peers, and help fulfill individual potential. |
| Scope | Covers educational planning, monitoring, and support, whether the child is in school or not. It is an evolving record of needs and actions. |
| Key Function | Identifies specific educational goals, necessary interventions, and how Pupil Premium Plus funding (where applicable) will be used to enhance educational outcomes. |
Ensuring Educational Equity
The overarching goal of the PEP is to provide looked after children with every opportunity to succeed educationally. By meticulously planning and reviewing their learning journey, the PEP helps to:
- Identify and address barriers: Whether academic, social, or emotional, the PEP helps pinpoint challenges and put strategies in place to overcome them.
- Set aspirational targets: Goals are established to encourage academic excellence and personal growth.
- Monitor progress effectively: Regular reviews ensure that the plan remains relevant and responsive to the child's evolving needs.
- Allocate resources strategically: For example, the Pupil Premium Plus funding often linked to PEPs is used to provide targeted support and interventions.
For more detailed information on Personal Education Plans and their implementation, you can refer to guidance from reputable educational and child welfare organizations, such as Coram Voice.
