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.

We know that choosing what to do after school can feel like a big decision. Whether you are planning to go to college, university, start an apprenticeship or enter employment, there is support available to help you succeed.

Your Personal Advisor will work alongside you to help you explore your options, complete applications and overcome any barriers that may get in the way of achieving your goals.

You don't have to figure everything out on your own.

Personal Employability Support

As a care experienced young person, you may be able to access support from a dedicated Employability Coach.

They can help you with:

• Career planning and goal setting

• Finding education, training and employment opportunities

• Writing and improving your CV

• Completing application forms

• Interview preparation

• Building confidence and employability skills

• Accessing job fairs and employer events

• Preparing for the workplace

The aim is to help you feel confident, prepared and ready for your next step.

Support with College and Training

If you choose to continue your education at college or through a training provider, support may be available to help you access and stay on your course.

This can include:

• Help completing applications

• Support attending interviews and open days

• Advice about available courses

• Help enrolling onto your chosen programme

• Access to computers and internet facilities

• Guidance on financial support and bursaries

Many colleges and training providers offer additional financial support for care experienced young people. Your Personal Advisor can provide the information and supporting evidence you may need to access this funding.

If your course requires specialist equipment, uniforms or resources, additional support may also be available depending on your circumstances.

Thinking About University?

University can be a fantastic opportunity and many care experienced young people go on to achieve great things through Higher Education.

If university is something you are considering, support can include:

• Exploring university options

• Attending university open days

• Support with UCAS applications

• Help completing Student Finance applications

• Information about scholarships and bursaries

• Accessing university mentoring schemes

• Finding suitable accommodation

• Ongoing support during your studies

You can continue to receive support while you are studying and may be entitled to additional financial assistance throughout your course.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn and can be a great route into employment.

Wirral Council works with local employers and partners to help care experienced young people access apprenticeship opportunities.

In some cases, apprenticeship opportunities may be specifically promoted to care experienced young people.

Support is available to help you:

• Search for apprenticeship opportunities

• Complete applications

• Prepare for interviews

• Understand your rights at work

• Develop workplace skills and confidence

Work Experience and Volunteering

Sometimes the first step towards employment is gaining experience.

We can help you access:

• Work experience opportunities

• Volunteering placements

• Work shadowing opportunities

• Community projects

• Career exploration activities

These opportunities can help you build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen future applications.

Practical Support for Employment

Starting work can come with costs, but support may be available to help you get started.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include:

• Help with interview travel costs

• Support with work clothing

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required

• Advice on workplace rights and responsibilities

• Help understanding wages, tax and budgeting

Your Personal Advisor and Employability Coach will work together to make sure you have the support you need to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Your Future Matters

Whatever your goals may be, we want you to have high aspirations and believe in your potential.

Whether your next step is college, university, an apprenticeship, training or employment, there are people ready to support you every step of the way.

Your care experience is part of your story, but it does not limit what you can achieve.

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