Early Years Foundation Stage – Pre-school Provision and Reception Classes
Why is the PEP important?
Local authorities have a specific duty, under the Children Act 1989, to promote the educational achievement of all looked after children. The PEP is the key mechanism for addressing the needs of the child or young person and improving their attainment. The PEP should set high expectations of rapid progress and put in place the additional support needed to succeed. It should reflect any existing education plans, such as a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Individual Education Plan (IEP). The PEP is a vital part of the Care Plan for Children Looked After and should be completed for children aged 3 until the end of the statutory school age.
Who initiates the PEP?
It is the responsibility of the Social Worker to initiate the PEP. The Social Worker has responsibility for completing their sections of the PEP and emailing that to the Area SENCO/designated teacher 5 working days before the meeting (in particular, sections 1a and 4 – information in sections 2a/b and 3 would also be helpful, though this could be left to the meeting).
How is the child or young person involved in the PEP process?
Normally, the My Views section will be completed by the key person, when the child is at preschool or the designated teacher when at school, alongside the child, ready for the PEP meeting. How this is achieved is dependant on the child’s age and special needs. The key person/designated teacher may need to collect views through conversation and/or drawings, photos, objects of reference, symbols or other methods and record the main points onto the electronic PEP.
What is the review process for the PEP?
The PEP should be reviewed when the child or young person moves care or education placement or when there are significant changes in circumstance. It is recommended that to ensure PEPs are reviewed within 6 months, and to allow for any change of PEP meeting date, PEP reviews are set for 5 months after each completed PEP meeting, enabling the paperwork to be completed and returned prior to the due date, so that the PEP does not lapse.
PEP reviews should take place in consultation with the child, the Early Yearsarea SENCO, (if the child is a Preschool child)designated teacher, the keyperson,thesocialworker,carers and other relevant professionals.
We’ve completed the PEP – what happens now?
The Area SENCO/designated teacher sends copies of the completed PEP electronically within 10 working days of the PEP meeting to the Children inCareEducation Service at , the social worker,carer/keyperson, parent, (if appropriate), if the young person has a Statement, the Casework Officerand where appropriate the child/young person.
With thanks to the Early Years Area SENCOs
November 2013
Early Years PEP Guidance