Supporting previously looked after children
The Department of Education describes Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) as those who: Are no longer looked after by a local authority in England and Wales (as defined by the Children Act 1989 or Part 6 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales Act 2014), because they are the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order
Or
were adopted from state care outside England and Wales. State care is provided by a public authority, a religious organisation or any other organisation, whose sole or main purpose is to benefit society.
The child may have left care through one of the following routes:
An Adoption Order
This is the legal order which gives adoptive parents full and permanent parental rights for their children. Children must be living with their adoptive families for at least 10 weeks, before the family can apply for the adoption order.
A Special Guardianship Order
This was introduced in 2005 as a way of providing children with a permanent family without severing legal ties with their birth families. Special guardians can be family members, family friends, or foster parents.
A Child Arrangements Order
An order from court, regulating who a child lives with or has contact with. Children may not necessarily have been looked after, prior to being placed on a child Arrangements Order.
Parents and guardians of previously looked after children should be empowered to support their children within education.
The child or young person should be able to:
- discuss issues that are troublesome which prevent their progress.
- be involved in setting their own targets.
- be taken seriously and supported.
- take responsibility for their own learning.
- be encouraged to participate in school activities and ultimately believe they can succeed and reach their aspirations.
In order to achieve these goals, there needs to be a sympathetic and supportive adult in the educational setting.
