Funding within School Budgets for Looked After Children

As part of the Local Authorities delegation of monies to schools, there is a sum included for Children Looked After (LAC).

Each year the Local Authority identifies the numbers of Children Looked After on each school roll at the beginning of the Autumn Term. On this basis it delegates £843 per LAC on roll to the school in the next years budget. This has been increased to £1875 this year in respect of LAC to allow for specific initiatives to improve their educational attainments. A check in December is also carried out to identify any additional children who have joined the school since September and these are also included on the following years budget share. Children joining schools during the year will be funded on a pro rata basis. This applies to all looked after pupils in school not just those in the care of Norfolk County Council.

You are no doubt aware of the vulnerability and the additional needs of this group of young people. The funding is included to support and contribute to the quality of education they receive. The range of activities this funding is intended to cover include:

	cover the cost of your Designated Teacher training.
	supporting the work of your Designated Teacher.
	provision of additional classroom support.
	provision of additional non classroom support.
	facilitating participation in specific activities in Sports; Music; Gifted and Talented, After School Activities.
	help with ICT equipment.

This list is not exhaustive and if you wish to discuss any aspect of the above, or require clarification then please contact either Terry Cook, Head of School Performance Organisation and Inclusion or Malcolm Griffiths, Corporate Parenting Service Manager.

Both nationally and within Norfolk, the raising of LAC achievements is a priority. We as Local Authority Corporate Parents need to ensure the best quality education for each and every child looked after. This intention is reflected in both Children's Services Children and Young Persons Plan and Norfolk County Council Service Plan.

It is a responsibility for both schools and the Local Authority to monitor the quality of education provision for children looked after. The principle way for undertaking this by schools is via the school self evaluation form (SEF). Therefore we encourage each school with children looked after on roll to include within their SEF an evaluation of the standards achieved and the quality of education and care provided for LACs. To support this process, the Local Authority now include for SIPs and SDAs a requirement to discuss the education provision for LACs as part of their monitoring activity with schools.

Terry Cook Head of School Performance Organisation and Inclusion Tel: 01603 433276

Malcolm Griffiths Corporate Parenting Service Manager Tel: 01603 222574