• new statutory guidance on the education of LAC issued under Section 52 The Children Act 2004;
• a clear focus on improving outcomes for LAC in the school inspection framework;
• DCSF guidance to Governing Bodies on supporting looked after learners and;
• changes to schools admissions regulations, giving LAC first priority in admission authorities' over subcription criteria.

Targets to improve the attainment of LAC are set out in the Kent Agreement (local area agreement) and in Cluster plans, and we are working with Clusters and schools to develop and implement local strategies to promote their inclusion and achievement in line with these targets. The model school policy will help schools understand what is required and to fulfil their responsibilities to looked after children. The policy also contains an appendix explaining the responsibilities of the Headteacher, Governing Body, the Designated Teacher for LAC and other school staff. We strongly recommend that all schools adopt this policy, even those schools that currently have no LAC pupils. The LAC Education Adviser team will be providing training in the 2006/7 governor training programme to support the implementation of this policy. This is in addition to the regular local meetings it already provides for Designated Teachers. If individual Governing Bodies would like bespoke training you would need to approach the Governor Training Unit. For advice on the policy please contact your local LAC Education Adviser:

East Kent: Lucy Davies Tel No: 01227 284475
West Kent: Malcolm Thomas Tel No: 01732 525097
Mid Kent: Jennifer Kemp Tel No: 01233 898696

Schools and governing bodies promote better outcomes for looked after children by:  

• Ensuring a Designated Teacher for looked after children has been identified and is empowered to champion the needs of these pupils, influence policy and practice across the school and ensure early intervention for children in difficulty.
• Identifying a named designated governor to monitor the progress made by looked after children.
• Ensuring all looked after children have a Personal Education Plan (PEP) in place, with all those involved (including where appropriate, the young person, parent, carer, social worker and designated teacher) to play an active part in supporting their education.
• The Government intend to reform the guidance on Personal Education Plans so that the learning and development needs of pre-school children in care are identified and planned. Pre-school children will be expected to have a PEP. This should focus on good quality play opportunities, early learning and access to appropriate nursery or other provision - rather than formal educational goals.
• The Personal Education Plan is concerned with education in its broadest sense and should include appropriate curricular and extra-curricular targets for the young person. Where the young person has additional needs, the IEP, PSP and Annual Review of Statement should be incorporated within the PEP not as an alternative to it. The PEP should be used as a mechanism to identify individual need and plan and review progress for that looked after child. It should also identify who holds parental responsibility for them. (for further information see PEP page and guidance)
• Inviting their Area Looked After Children Education adviser to provide regular training and information.
• Providing details of all Looked After pupils, their progress and attendance to the Area LAC Adviser, using the audit form sent to schools each term.