Personal Education Plan (PEP)

Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are part of the statutory care plans for Looked After Children (LAC) and are a legal requirement. 

The Personal Education Plan:

• reflects any existing education plans, such as an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or individual education plan (IEP)
• contains information about the child's progress, attainment and social and emotional development
• identifies the child's needs and how they will be addressed in school. Targets are set at each PEP meeting and reviewed at the next meeting
• is an opportunity to ensure there is good communication and understanding between school and carer.

In Derby, we have developed an electronic version of the PEP which can be accessed securely online through Welfare Call. The designated teacher for children in care at the child’s school and the social worker, have access to the ePEP on Welfare Call extranet.

Sign in to ePEP

A PEP is a meeting usually held at the school and includes: 

• the young person
• the child’s social worker
• a representative from the school
• the carer
• a Virtual School specialist education officer if required. 

The PEP meeting is to make sure that everything is in place for the young person to achieve the educational outcomes of which they are capable. During the PEP, targets are set and the school can apply for Pupil Premium Plus to support the achievement of these targets.

If you haven't completed a PEP before, you may find it useful to follow our Model e-PEP processes, agenda and targets guidance.

How often does it take place?

PEP meetings in primary and secondary schools are usually held three times a year.

• transition PEPs also take place when a school move is planned to ensure a transition plan is put in place
• early years children have a transition to school PEP in the summer term
• post-16 PEPs take place as part of the Pathway Plan.

Who should attend?

The PEP is part of the child's care plan and the social worker holds responsibility for determining who should attend. Usually meetings are attended by carer(s), social worker, DT (or another adult from school). Where necessary, education improvement officers from Derby Virtual School will attend and chair PEPs. Other people may also be invited, such as fostering social workers, birth family, Looked After Children (LAC) nurses or speech and language therapists. The child/young person should attend the meeting if appropriate.

Whose views?

Everybody should have the opportunity to express their opinions about the education on offer, but it is most important that the views of the child are represented at the PEP. Before the meeting, Derby Virtual School sends a Pupil Views booklet to fill in so that his/her views can be discussed and addressed at the meeting.

It is also important for the carer to be able to represent the child's best interests and feel confident in supporting and working with school to ensure progress is being made. This will include:

• supporting with homework
• ensuring the PP+ is being spent effectively
• helping raise aspirations by encouraging young people to access extra-curricular activities.