Key actions for education professionals

Previously looked-after children have priority school admissions status.
Maintained schools and academies must have a Designated Teacher (DT) to take responsibility for promoting the educational achievement of previously looked after pupils. They must undertake appropriate training. Further details about this role can be found in the DfE document ‘The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children’.
It is good practice to have meetings with parents/special guardians/carers so their child’s progress and any barriers to learning can be understood and supported.
Training is important for all education setting staff to enable an increased understanding of the needs of this cohort of children. All school staff can access the free training offer.
Schools should apply for pupil premium plus via their October census if the school and child are eligible. Early Years settings should apply for Early Years Pupil Premium via their headcount return if the child is eligible.
Consider children’s individual as well as collective needs when making decisions about the use of your setting’s pupil premium plus/early years pupil premium allocation.
Refer to the DfE document ‘Using pupil premium: guidance for school leaders, March 2022’ for guidance and duties around the use and reporting of pupil premium plus.

Key actions for the Virtual School Advisory Service

Offer advice regarding your cohort of children who have achieved permanence through a dedicated inbox vsas@westsussex.gov.uk. Our team will respond with advice and guidance either by email or a phone call.
Offer guidance and signpost schools and education settings to additional services required and available within the local authority to support children who have achieved permanence.
Provide free training opportunities to develop the understanding of providers around attachment, trauma and meeting the needs of this cohort as well as training on interventions known to make the biggest impact for children who have achieved permanence.
Work with our local authority colleagues who work directly with this cohort to support them to observe and respond to the child’s presentation with an appropriate curiosity around their lived experiences and how this may be impacting on them.