A Personal Education Plan (PEP) is a document describing a course of action to help a child or young person reach their full academic and life potential. It provides a shared understanding of the child’s needs and the actions required to support learning and raise attainment.
The ePEP System
North Yorkshire Virtual School uses the ePEP platform, developed by eGOV Solutions this can be found here. It is accessible to:
- Social Workers
- Designated Teachers
- Foster Carers
- The Child or Young Person – with support of an adult
- Virtual School staff
- Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO)
Completed ePEPs provide a clear overview of a Child in Care’s educational journey and are particularly valuable when a child joins a school at short notice. The PEP demonstrates a coordinated approach to removing barriers to learning and improving outcomes.
For access to ePEP or guidance on use, email: VirtualSchool@northyorks.gov.uk
PEP Meetings
The Personal Education plan is a statutory process which all children in care must have. A PEP forms part of the child’s overall care plan. It is the social worker responsibility to arrange a date for the PEP with the education provider and informs anyone else who needs to attend. The social worker must attend the meeting. Young people should always be offered the opportunity to attend.
Statutory PEP Timeframes
- First PEP must be completed by the 20-day child in care review or the term of their 3rd birthday even if they are not attending an education setting. For children under 3, completing a PEP is considered good practice in North Yorkshire. See Early Years education for Looked after children section- Early Years Education for Looked After Children | CYPSinfo
- First Review within three months of the initial meeting
- Subsequent PEPs are developed and reviewed termly and at least every six months, although they may be sooner if a young person changes school or is going through a difficult period in their life.
- Change of School- a PEP must be complete within 20 school days of new registration
Completing the PEP
Different sections are completed by relevant contributors:
- Social Worker: Child’s personal details, carer information and key contacts
- Designated Teacher: Attendance, attainment, SMART targets, and Pupil Premium Plus+ expenditure and impact. Other sections include: SEND, Social Emotional and Mental Health, Transitions, Part Time timetable, 14 – 19+ plan, NEET support, as appropriate for the age of the child or young person. The Designated Teacher should consult other teaching staff and Teaching Assistants to ensure a full picture of the child’s education.
- Foster Carer & Young Person: Dedicated sections to share views before the meeting
All sections should be completed prior to the PEP meeting. During the meeting attendees should review the completed information, especially the SMART targets evaluating progress of previous targets and agreement that the new targets are aspirational and an appropriate use of the Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) funding Hyper link to PP+ page
All attendees views from the meeting are recorded within the PEP meeting Minutes section giving a final overall comment in the Adult’s Views and then give a Scaled Score about the child’s education.
Useful resources and further guidance
• ePEP
• The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children: statutory guidance (DFE, February 2018)
- NYC Virtual School OMG
