Decision details

The report presented provided an overview of the current position around Personal Education Plans for Lancashire children looked after.

The committee was informed that the number of looked after children (CLA) in Lancashire who had an up to date Personal Education Plan (PEP), including those in their early years and post 16, had increased. A review of the PEP template had made it more fit for purpose and the quality of the PEPs had improved. All CLA required a PEP and in the statutory guidance that was from nursery up to 18 years. The plan had to be in place within 20 days of the child coming into care. It needed to be reviewed once each term as a minimum and it was the joint responsibility of Children's Social Care and the school or education provider.

It was felt that reviewing every PEP put a lot of strain on the CLA department and the committee questioned if this would be sustainable in the long term. It was hoped that in the future sampling of PEPs would be easier but there would have to be some sort of criteria in place for this to happen.

Resolved: That the report presented be noted.