Previously Looked After Children (P-lac)
Support for Previously Looked After Children
For previously Looked After Children, the Virtual School will be a source of advice and information to help their parents to advocate for them as effectively as possible. The Virtual School is not acting as part of the corporate parent role in these circumstances, but is there to promote the educational achievement of these children through the provision of advice and information to relevant parties.
Who are the children who were previously in care?
This refers to a child who is no longer looked after in England and Wales because he/she is the subject of:
- an adoption order
- a Special Guardianship order
- a child arrangement order which includes arrangements relating to with whom the child is to live, or when the child is to live with any person
Parents, carers and guardians would need to self-declare if their child or children were previously in care and provide evidence of their previously in care status. Evidence could be a copy of the relevant order made by the court or a confirmation from a senior social worker on an appropriate letter head. Where parents are unable to provide clear evidence of their child's status, the designated teacher will need to use their discretion.
Has your child been adopted from Care?
Is your child currently living with you under a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangement Order, but has been looked after in the past under the Care of a Local Authority?
If you have questions about your child’s education and would like to talk to someone confidentially, please contact the Virtual School Team.
The Virtual School has a dedicated Education Adviser who can offer advice and guidance, and support you in meetings with your child’s school.
You can learn about funding your child’s school could be entitled to as well as other local services that may be able to help you and your child.
The Virtual School Team can only discuss a previously looked after child with the consent of the person with parental responsibility. They will not discuss any child with other professionals without this permission.
The Virtual School has a confidential mailbox for parents to make direct contact with any queries around the education of their previously looked after child/ young person. Please contact the Virtual School on: 0151 511 7391 Email: virtual.school@halton.gov.uk