The PEP

The Personal Education Plan 

As a group, Looked After Children (LAC) typically lag behind their non-Looked After peers at the end of every Key Stage. In order to narrow this gap a personalised learning plan is essential for each LAC, which identifies their individual learning needs and puts a plan in place to meet those needs so that their own expectations, and those of others, are raised and their life chances enhanced. This is known as the Personal Education Plan (PEP). 

It is a legal requirement that every LAC has a care plan of which the PEP is an integral part. An up-to-date copy of the PEP should be available for each LAC Review and Pathway Planning meeting from when the child is pre-school until they are 18. 

The PEP also forms part of the child's official school record. If a child moves school, all previous PEPs should be securely forwarded along with the child's file, to the receiving school by the Designated Teacher (DT). As a document, it provides a 'collective memory' about the child's education. 

The first PEP is usually referred to as the 'initial' PEP. Subsequent PEPs should build upon previous ones, to become an evolving record and review document. 

It is expected that a PEP will be agreed at a meeting which is usually held at a child's school. Where a child does not have an education placement, the Virtual School Officer (VSO) will liaise with other professionals to agree a suitable alternative location. 

Whilst attendees at the PEP meeting can be varied depending on the needs of the child, it is expected in Hillingdon that as a minimum the PEP meeting will be attended by the child, Virtual School Officer, the Designated Teacher, the Social Worker and the Foster Carer / Key Worker. 

Some LAC do not wish for their PEP meeting to be held at school or to attend. Where this is the case, their wishes and feelings should be gathered beforehand and shared at the meeting on their behalf. 

While it may not always be possible, efforts should be made to not remove a child from their lessons in order for them to attend their PEP meeting. 

PEPs should not be disciplinary meetings. They should identify, promote and build upon the child's strengths. PEPs should be solution focused; finding ways to support the child's educational progress. 

Further information on PEP procedures can be found here (PDF) [141KB].