A PEP is a way of monitoring and supporting the education of a young person in care.
- It is a mechanism for consulting, listening to and involving the young person in their educational experience.
- The PEP should be preventative. It should minimise delay, flagging up particular needs and lead to priority action.
- The process should strengthen joint working and corporate parenting.
- The PEP is intended to enhance stability, achieve continuity and raise the expectations and self esteem of the young person.
- It acknowledges achievement and celebrates success.
- PEPs are an essential mechanism for tracking children's progress and ensuring that appropriate and timely support is in place to raise attainment.
- PEPs in Dudley, for school age children, are carried out on a termly basis.
ePEP Online is a web based portal which enables the Virtual School, teachers, social workers and other named professionals to monitor and record PEPs for Dudley CLA.
Below we have included a number of downloads to help guide you on using the ePEP system.
If you are a designated teacher or social worker and have not received your login please contact us.
We also have a help desk available 9.00 am - 4 pm Monday to Friday in term time on 01384 813494.
Please note: Post 16 PEPs for the academic year 2019-20 must be completed on the ePEP system. More details on training, support and logins for Post 16 providers will be published shortly (22/08/19).
Uni PEPs are optional and can be completed on paper forms (below).
What is a Personal Education Plan (PEP)?
A PEP is a document that provides information about your education. You will have an initial PEP meeting when you first come into care as it is part of your care plan. The PEP is a way of monitoring and supporting your education.
The PEP meeting is to make sure that everything is in place for you to achieve the educational outcomes which you are capable. During the PEP, targets to support your learning are set. The school also has Pupil Premium Plus funding to support the achievement of these targets.
During the meeting following things will be talked about:
• How you are doing at school
• The progress you are making
• Anything you need help with
• Any out of school activities you want to get involved with
• Setting targets for you to achieve
Who are the Virtual School?
The responsibility for your education and your educational success, lies with the school you attend and your teachers and the Head Teacher. However, there is also a virtual school that is able to keep an overview of all our Looked After Children’s education. The Virtual School makes sure that your education is high up on the priority list for schools and the council.
The Virtual School offers advice and guidance to schools and will build the links between social workers and your teachers to make sure you are getting the education that suits your needs and help you achieve your very best.
Who will be at my PEP meeting?
Your PEP meeting is usually held at the school and includes:
• You
• your carer(s)
• your social worker,
• Your DT (this is the designated teacher, whose role is to support children who are in care).
• Your education advisor from the Virtual School
At times, there may be other people who are supporting your education that attend, these people will be introduced at the beginning of the meeting so that you know who they are.
How often do meetings take place?
PEP meetings in primary, secondary schools and college are held three times a year, and this is usually once a term.
There are times when an extra PEP meeting may be needed, for example;
• A transition PEPs, if a school move is planned this ensures a transition plan is put in place.
• You need any extra support in school for a specific reason.
• post-16 PEPs take place as part of the Pathway Plan.
Your views
Everybody should have the opportunity to express their opinions about the education on offer, but it is extremely important your views are represented at the PEP. Before the meeting, you should have an opportunity to complete a set of questions as part of the PEP to gather your views on your education. You can also share your views during the meeting.
What is Pupil Premium Plus?
Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) is available to all students of school age who are in care.
Pupil Premium Plus is funding used to help support the improvement of your educational outcomes. Targets will be set in the meeting and PP+ can used to support these targets.
Who should you contact for advice about PEPs?
For any advice and guidance about your education or your PEP please contact your Virtual School advisor. Your social worker and DT will know who your advisor is.
What happens if I move school/college?
If you move school your PEP will be passed to your new school, they will let you know who your new Designated Teacher is.
PEPs are important because
The PEP is the main way in which Designated Teachers and the Virtual School track educational attainment and progress for every Child in Care. The PEP also allows the Virtual School team to promote and then monitor how the Pupil Premium is used to improve educational outcomes for all children and Young People.
Most importantly, you get a say in your education to enable you to achieve your potential.
