The Department of Education defines 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 care provided by a public authority, a religious organisation, or any other organisation whose sole or main purpose is to benefit society.”
How can VSK help you?
The role of the Virtual School for PLAC is to promote their educational achievement through the provision of information and advice to their parents/guardians, educators and others where necessary. VSK will:
- Offer advice and information to parents/guardians and signpost them to other services for advice and support if necessary.
- Offer advice and information to providers of early education, designated teachers in schools and providers of alternative provision in respect of individual PLAC.
- Make general advice and information available to early years settings and schools to improve awareness of the vulnerability and needs of previously looked-after children. This includes promoting good practice on identifying and meeting children’s needs and guidance on effective use of the Pupil Premium funds.
Kent Adoptables
If your adopted child is over 11 years old and interested in becoming part of a growing community in Kent and wants to help make a change, then please visit the Kent Adoption website.
Further Support available
For parents of adopted children, further support is available from the Adoption Partnership South East (the regional adoption agency, delivering adoption services for Kent, Medway and the London Borough of Bexley local authorities), please self-refer at the Adoption Partnership South East Website
For general services available to all families with children under a Special Guardianship order, please refer to KCC Guide which can by found in the further information section below.
Further Information:
The Designated Teacher for Looked-After and Previously Looked-After Children
SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25 years
Reference guide for parents with previously looked after children
Special Guardianship Orders - A guide to help available to you
Support for families with children under a Special Guardianship Order
We are Family Adoption Support
Who to Contact for Further Advice
Every school has a designated teacher, if you are unsure who that person is, the school office will be able to give you this information. In the first instance, it would be advisable for parents/guardians to contact the Designated Teacher who will be able to discuss any concerns that they have and if necessary, will be able to arrange an EPPLAC meeting. More information on EPPLAC meetings can be found on the VSK website.
VSK can offer advice via email or over the phone to parents/guardians and will suggest next steps for you to follow to ensure that your child is getting the right support; this may include signposting you to other services, websites, explaining educational processes, etc. Please complete the Initial Enquiry Form and one of the team will contact you.
For information regarding what personal data (information) we will hold about you and your child, how we collect, use and share the information please refer to the KCC Children’s Social Care Privacy Notice