Mrs G Hiles

BS/GH/MLB/JD (01553) 669202

NCC.PEP.HT Let

4^th September 2000 Fax :(01553) 669203

Email:gillianhiles@hotmail.com

All Headteachers of Norfolk LEA Schools

Dear Headteacher

The Government has recently issued guidelines regarding the education of young people in public care. These have implications for the Local Authority as the Corporate Parent of children in Public Care (i.e. those who are Looked After.)

You are asked to identify a Designated Teacher who will be responsible for the oversight of all children looked after who attend your school. The teacher may be yourself, the designated teacher for Child Protection, the SENCO or another senior member of staff.

All Designated Teachers will be offered training by the end of this academic year and you will be notified of dates and venues.

2 Personal Education Plans (PEPs)

All children who are looked after by the Authority must have a Personal Education Plan (PEP) as part of their Care Plan. This applies to all children in foster or residential homes and those who are the subject of Care Orders and live at home. A PEP must be in place within 20 days of a young person entering care or a new school.

Personal Education Plans will be implemented during the school year 2000/2001 through a phased arrangement.

• Year 11 pupils should have a PEP initiated in September 2000 to be completed no later than the end of October. This will enable us to focus on Y11 pupils who may need support in June 2001 examinations.
• All other young people in secondary education who are looked after will have a PEP initiated by the time of their Social Services Review in the six months between September 2000 and February 2001.
• All children in primary schools will have a PEP initiated between March and August 2001.

Any child or young person who becomes accommodated or moves school during the year will have a PEP within 20 days.

I enclose a copy of the Norfolk Personal Education Plan which Social Workers are being asked to initiate for all children looked after. Also enclosed is:

• copies of the PEP Action Plan appropriate to your school
• a copy of the Role of the Designated Teachers
• a list of Education Coordinators and their contact numbers(you can contact your local Education Coordinator for advice about Children Looked After and PEPs).

1. You should send the name of your Designated Teacher for children looked after

to Gillian Hiles, Project Education Coordinator at St Margaret's House, King's Lynn, PE30 5DR by 30^th September 2000. (The DfEE requires the local authority to maintain a database of all Designated Teachers.)

2. You should complete PEPs at the request of Social Workers in line with the

enclosed Action Plan.

3. Please contact Gillian Hiles for further information on 01553 669202 or e-mail

her - gillianhiles@hotmail.com.

Yours sincerely