Care Experience: Education Support

If you're in care or care experienced, there may be extra help available to support you in education, including:

✓ Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
✓ Additional school funding and support
✓ College bursaries
✓ University support and grants
✓ A designated teacher in school
✓ Support from the Virtual School

What is a PEP?

A Personal Education Plan (PEP) is your education plan.

Think of it as a roadmap designed around you. It helps make sure you have the support you need to do well and achieve your goals.

Your PEP can include:

• your strengths and achievements

• goals and targets

• support you might need

• attendance information

• your thoughts and views about school

• plans for your future

Remember: this is your plan and your voice matters.

What happens?

Your PEP meeting brings together the people supporting you in education.

This could include:

• your social worker

• your designated teacher

• your carer

• learning mentors

• other people who support you

The meeting is a chance to:

✓ celebrate achievements
✓ talk about any worries
✓ discuss support you need
✓ make plans for the future

You should be invited to take part because your views are important.

If you don't want to attend, you can still share your thoughts with someone you trust.

Schools receive additional funding to support children and young people in care.

What is Pupil Premium Plus?

Pupil Premium Plus is funding schools receive to help support your education.

This money could be used for things such as:

• extra learning support

• tutoring

• school trips

• equipment

• emotional wellbeing support

• activities that help you achieve your goals

You won't receive this money directly, but you can ask how it's helping support you during your PEP meeting.

Moving on from school can feel exciting and sometimes a bit overwhelming.

If you're care experienced, extra financial support may be available.

This could include:

✓ bursaries for college or training
✓ help with books and equipment
✓ travel costs
✓ university grants and support

Speak with your social worker or Personal Adviser to find out what support may be available.

If something doesn't feel right, don't keep it to yourself.

You could speak to:

• your carer

• social worker

• designated teacher

• learning mentor

• another trusted adult

You can talk about:

• friendships

• bullying

• homework

• feeling stressed

• moving schools

• anything else on your mind

Starting somewhere new can feel difficult.

Whether you're moving to secondary school, changing schools, starting college or sixth form, it's okay to feel nervous.

Extra visits and support can often be arranged to help you feel more comfortable before you start.

If you move into foster care, people will usually try to help you stay at your current school if possible.

If changing schools is necessary, your social worker and school staff should help make the transition easier and support you through it.

If you have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), there may be additional support available.

Find out more at SENDLO Wirral