1. PLASC 2016 Secondary Schools
Produced by the Management Systems Unit

2. NOTE Key Dates for the PLASC 2017 Return SEN Needs
Census date is 10/01/2017
Age as at Date is 31/08/2016.
SEN Needs
SEN Needs Ranking is no longer included in the return. This allows all SEN Needs for a pupil/students to be included, rather just those ranked 1 or 2.

3. Folder Statutory Return Tools
‘Folder Names’

4. Folder Statutory Return Tools
Choose the following directory S:\SIMS\STAR\Ascout

5. Folder - Statutory Return Tools
Choose Routines, Statutory Returns, PLASC
Before beginning the process of producing the return, it is advisable to spend time ensuring that all student level and school level information is present and up-to-date in SIMS.net.
The details of the information required to complete the PLASC return can be found in the following document: “Completion Notes for LAs and Schools”– Welsh Government. You should have received a copy from your LA. Any support relating to queries regarding which information is required should be directed to your contact at the LA.

6. PLASC
Create new return.

7. PLASC
There are 12 sections to the PLASC return each separated into 12 panels within SIMS.

8. PLASC
The panels should be completed in the correct order. Some panels will be filled in automatically while others will require manual intervention before you can proceed further.

9. PLASC
The first panel will already be filled in with the relevant Census dates.

10. Please input the correct period as indicated by the Welsh Government.
PLASC
Click on ‘Save’
Please input the correct period as indicated by the Welsh Government.

11. To proceed to the next panel, click on the green arrow to proceed.
PLASC
To proceed to the next panel, click on the green arrow to proceed.

12. PLASC
The School Information panel will be filled in automatically from the school details recorded in SIMS.net. If you need to change any of the information then click on the School Details button.

13. PLASC
You will need to fill the UK Provider Reference Number with your school number. This can be obtained from Make relevant changes and click on Save.

14. Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC
Click to proceed to the next panel.

15. PLASC Calculate
Calculate will collect the relevant classes for the Census. Click on YES to proceed.

16. PLASC Classes
The totals will be calculated automatically, but can be changed if they are incorrect.

17. PLASC Classes
Also if you wish you can change the following fields: Year Group, Key Stage, SEN Pupil and Welsh Medium. Click on the relevant cell and choose from the list.

18. PLASC Classes
If there happens to be a missing class then you have the ability to add here. Remember to chooses an appropriate name for the class.

19. Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC Classes
Click to proceed to the next panel.

20. Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC Teachers
The numbers will have been already calculated. However you may edit any of the columns if desired.
Click to proceed to the next panel.

21. PLASC Teachers (Contracts 1 year or less)
Click to proceed to the next panel.
Teachers with short term contracts (1 year or less) will already be calculated. However you may edit any of the columns if desired.

22. PLASC Teachers Reconciliation
Number of teachers in classes at the selected time on census day.
Number of teachers NOT in class at hected time on census day.
Total number of teachers on census day.

23. Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC Support Staff
Click to proceed to the next panel.
The numbers have already been calculated. However any column can be edited if desired.

24. PLASC Teachers of Welsh
Note the totals in the relevant cells.
Click to proceed to the next panel.

25. Click New to include any relevant teacher recruitment information.
PLASC Recruitment
Click New to include any relevant teacher recruitment information.

26. PLASC Recruitment
Note down the relevant information under Subject, Key stage, Welsh Medium, number of applications and also whether an Appointment was made – yes or no.
If no Appointment was made then indicate which type of cover was used:
ST Supply Teacher SM Senior Management NS Non-Specialist OT Other

27. Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC Recruitment
Click to proceed to the next panel.

28. Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC Retention
Click on New to include any Teacher Retentions and note the Subject, Key Stage, Teaching Experience and Destination.
Click to proceed to the next panel.

29. Input the relevant information Click to proceed to the next panel.
PLASC General
Input the relevant information
Click to proceed to the next panel.

30. PLASC Survey Completion Time
Indicate here the time spent in hours to complete the census by the various staff categories.

31. PLASC Save
Before you move on to create the census file; save the census details here.

32. PLASC Create & Validate
To create a census file then click on Create & Validate.

33. PLASC Create & Validate
The validation process will now take place.

34. PLASC Create & Validate
If there are any errors then they will be displayed here.

35. PLASC Create & Validate
Failures will be displayed in red as ‘Type F’, whilst queries will be displayed in black as ‘Type Q’ .

36. PLASC Create & Validate
You should endeavour to correct all errors before authorising the Census. Queries denotes that there are unusual data conditions and these should be considered and corrected if necessary. However you may proceed to authorise the return with outstanding queries (not failures).
You might need to Create and Validate a number of times before you are ready to Authorise.

37. A Summary report is available both in English and Welsh.
PLASC Summary
A Summary report is available both in English and Welsh.

38. PLASC Summary
The report displays a summary of the relevant information collected for the Census.

39. To finalise – click on Authorise
PLASC Authorise
To finalise – click on Authorise

40. PLASC Authorise
Click ‘Yes’

41. PLASC Authorise
If you are happy that all the information displayed on the PLASC Detail is correct and does not require further editing, tick the box and click on ‘continue’.
When a return has been authorised, it is no longer possible to edit any of the information on the PLASC Detail page. If you authorise a return and subsequently need to make amendments, you should either make a copy of the return and work on the copy, or create a new return.

42. PLASC Browse
When a file has been authorised the file extension changes from UNA to XML. The file will save into the following location:- S:\SIMS\STAR\ASCOUT so that you may export to your LA.