DFE/NAVSH workshop Birmingham 19th October 2017 Alan Clifton- Past Chair of NAVSH 2016-’17 and former VSH North Yorkshire 2009 -2017. Steve Kethero-Achievement and Disadvantage Unit, DFE. Alan

Pupil Premium Plus – What is it adding? How do Local authorities make the most of the additional funding provided by government for the education of the looked after children in their care?

A Plea The PP plus for looked after children is due to be increased to £2300 per eligible child- this is to be welcomed. NAVSH has strongly recommended that there should be the opportunity to carry over funding to a new financial. However, as this arrangement is not currently in place please do not return funds to the DFE that can make a difference to the lives and outcomes of looked after children

Pupil Premium Plus who is it for? Children in Care During the previous year, one day or more £2300 to VSH Post Care Adopted, SGO, Child arrangements order, or Residence order Self declaration by parent, reported on the January census -£2300 straight to schools These are children whose childhoods have not been like most other children’s... It tells us little to only compare this group of children with children whose lives have been happy and secure. Ofsted Annual Social Care Report 2016

Allocation of Pupil Premium Plus “The LAC premium must be managed by the VSH and used for the benefit of the looked after child’s educational needs, as described in their Personal Education Plan.” “Depending on the circumstances the VSH can either: Pass on the full amount Pass on less than the full amount Pass on more than the full amount” “VSHs can pool some pupil premium or EYPP to fund activities that will benefit a group of or all of the authority’s looked-after children.” https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pupil-premium-virtual-school-heads-responsibilities

Why don’t all VSH devolve funding to schools in the same way? Like school head teachers VSH know their cohort and locality challenges. All schools don’t utilise the same strategies to meet the needs of the children on their roll. Alternative provision, cross border protocols, meeting the needs of those awaiting a school place, post 16 transition and unaccompanied asylum seeking children are just some examples of why funding might be retained.

The importance of local authority guidance All Virtual Schools should provide guidance and good practice for schools where their looked after children are placed. Examples are available today from: North Yorkshire; North Tyneside; Staffordshire; Royal Borough of Greenwich; Torbay. A special mention to Derbyshire runners up in the National PP plus awards

What is the minimum a local authority policy should cover? Distribution of funding – eligibility, amount, expectations. How the impact of PP plus will be monitored Cross border arrangements Examples of good practice –academic & emotional support interventions Links to further published guidance Early Years funding

Amount devolved directly to schools ( NAVSH survey results)

What is funding retained by VSHs spent on?

How is impact measured?

Factors influencing the educational outcomes of children in care Time in care – longer in care, better the outcomes Age entering care – before age 11... Placement changes – fewer changes... School changes – fewer changes... School absence – less absence... School exclusions – less exclusions... Placement type – foster care... School type – mainstream... SEND – none, although if SEND then SEMH better outcomes. SDQs (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires) – lower score... For more information see the full Rees Centre / Bristol University Report ‘The Educational Progress of Looked After Children’. http://reescentre.education.ox.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/EducationalProgressLookedAfterChildrenOverviewReport_Nov2015.pdf

Impact of moves on attainment

Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing Use of PP plus to address Mental Health Need Impact of loss and trauma- Attachment training Counselling Theraplay Lego Therapy Drawing and Talking

Pupil Premium Plus What is it adding? + Bespoke packages of support to meet individual needs. + Partnership working – with VSHs and parents / carers. + An improvement in outcomes.

What have children in care said? Refer to local authority guidance Torbay DVD Further references around trauma and attachment http://attachmentawareschools.com/ Sunderland University CEL&T online courses: http://onlinestore.sunderland.ac.uk/browse/product.asp?compid=1&modid=1&catid=53 http://www.naht.org.uk/welcome/advice/advice-home/parents-and-pupils-advice/understanding-attachment-difficulties/ NAHT / Adoption UK Attachment flyer