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AFC - Previously looked-after children
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Previously Looked-After Children

Support and advice for previously looked-after children's parents, guardians and schools

Funding

Pupil Premium Plus

Eligibility

Every child adopted from care or with a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or care arrangements order in England and Wales attracts a grant of £2,345 per annum as long as they have been in care for at least 24 hours. This funding, known as Pupil Premium Plus (or abbreviated to PPP, PPG and PP+) is paid directly by the government to your school. The school is required to use the funding to promote educational achievement and emotional and social welfare by providing specific, targeted support. Children and young people are eligible for this grant between reception and Year 11.

In order for the school to receive this grant, each eligible child must be recorded on the annual October school census. Funds will be paid directly to the school by the DfE.

Unfortunately Pupil Premium Plus funding is not available to all previously looked-after children. Children are not eligible if they have been adopted from outside England and Wales, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as from overseas unless it can be demonstrated that they have been previously looked after by a public authority, a religious organisation or other provider of care whose sole purpose is to benefit society. Children who are home educated are not eligible for the grant.

The statutory guidance on the roles and responsibilities of designated teachers suggests that where parents are unable to provide clear evidence of their child’s status, schools will need to use their discretion.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium/pupil-premium

To receive the pupil premium plus grant, a child or young person must be registered on the October census. If they have not been registered, the funding will not be forthcoming from the DfE until the following year. Because there is only one opportunity to register each year, it is important that your school's business manager is aware of every adopted child's status and has had sight of an adoption certificate (which may be redacted by the parents) so that they are included in the census.  

Early years funding

Children aged 2 years old who have been adopted from care are entitled to a free early education place. They can also benefit from the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) when they are aged 3 and 4. This contributes additional funding to early education placements to help your child’s nursery or childminder to help improve the education they provide for children who need more support. Parents will need to tell your designated teacher that their child is adopted in order for them to claim the EYPP.

https://www.first4adoption.org.uk/adoption-support/education-support/early-years-pupil-premium-pre-school-support-funding/

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds