Much of your journey in education will be the same as your peers but as a young person in care or a care leaver they will also be some differences. As your corporate parent, we want to help you reach your goals and fulfil your potential.
If my placement changes, will I have to change school?
Everything possible will be done to ensure that any changes in your placement won't affect your school life.
If your in year 10 and year 11, it is even more important that your education is not disrupted because you will be studying for your GCSEs, and we will do everything possible to keep you in the same school.
Will people at school know I'm in care?
It's completely your decision whether or not you tell friends at school or outside school whether or not you're in care. We will only tell the leadership team at the school you are in care and they will not share this information with anyone else so you are in control of who else knows.
Here are a few points to remember:
We have a duty to keep you safe and support your education. This means we will work hard to make sure you have the best experience at school and can achieve your goals.
There are special things in place to help us do this, so you get the right support and the same chances as everyone else.
All looked after children should have a Care Plan (or detention placement plan).
This sets out how the Local Authority will need the child’s care needs including health, education, emotional and behavioural development, identity, family and social relationships, social presentation and self-care skills.
The Care Plan will include a Personal Education Plan (PEP) and a Health Plan.
All looked after children should have a Care Plan (or detention placement plan).
This sets out how the Local Authority will need the child’s care needs including health, education, emotional and behavioural development, identity, family and social relationships, social presentation and self-care skills.
The Care Plan will include a Personal Education Plan (PEP) and a Health Plan.
What is a Personal Education Plan (PEP)?
Your Personal Education Plan (PEP) is all about helping you do your best at school. It’s a plan that sets out what support you need and what goals you want to achieve.
Think of it as your own roadmap for learning. It can include things like:
Your PEP is part of your care plan, and it’s really important because it makes sure everyone—your teachers, social worker, and carers—are working together to help you succeed.
How does it work?
Why is it important?
Your PEP helps make sure:
What is a designated teacher?
Every school has a designated teacher whose job it is to support you and help you sort out any problems. They make sure that the school does everything it can to support you by working with your social worker and the Head of the Virtual School. They are also responsible for personal education plans (PEP) - an important document which outlines your educational history and progress.
How can they help me?
Make sure you know who your designated teacher is and speak to them about any problems or worries. You can also speak to other teachers at your school, like your form tutor or head of year.
We will not take you out of class for meetings and we will pay for you to go on school trips and attend activities.
What is a Personal Education Plan (PEP)?
Your Personal Education Plan (PEP) is all about helping you do your best at school. It’s a plan that sets out what support you need and what goals you want to achieve.
Think of it as your own roadmap for learning. It can include things like:
Your PEP is part of your care plan, and it’s really important because it makes sure everyone—your teachers, social worker, and carers—are working together to help you succeed.
How does it work?
Why is it important?
Your PEP helps make sure:
What is a designated teacher?
Every school has a designated teacher whose job it is to support you and help you sort out any problems. They make sure that the school does everything it can to support you by working with your social worker and the Head of the Virtual School. They are also responsible for personal education plans (PEP) - an important document which outlines your educational history and progress.
How can they help me?
Make sure you know who your designated teacher is and speak to them about any problems or worries. You can also speak to other teachers at your school, like your form tutor or head of year.
We will not take you out of class for meetings and we will pay for you to go on school trips and attend activities.
What is the Virtual School?
The Virtual School is a team that makes sure you get the best education possible and that you’re supported to do well at school.
Every local authority has a Virtual School for children in care. It’s called “virtual” because you and other children in care go to lots of different schools across Hampshire (and sometimes beyond), so it’s not one actual building—it’s a team that works behind the scenes to help you succeed.
What does the Virtual School do?
Who is the Virtual Head Teacher?
The Virtual Head Teacher leads the Virtual School. They:
Your Virtual School team is there to make sure you feel supported and can reach your goals. They want you to enjoy learning and have the best possible experience at school.
What is the Virtual School?
The Virtual School is a team that makes sure you get the best education possible and that you’re supported to do well at school.
Every local authority has a Virtual School for children in care. It’s called “virtual” because you and other children in care go to lots of different schools across Hampshire (and sometimes beyond), so it’s not one actual building—it’s a team that works behind the scenes to help you succeed.
What does the Virtual School do?
Who is the Virtual Head Teacher?
The Virtual Head Teacher leads the Virtual School. They:
Your Virtual School team is there to make sure you feel supported and can reach your goals. They want you to enjoy learning and have the best possible experience at school.
Sometimes, if you live with foster carers or in a children’s home, you might go to a school in a different area from the one that looks after you.
Here’s how it works:
So, even if your school is in a different place, the people who look after you and the people who manage your education work together to make sure you get the support you need.
Sometimes, if you live with foster carers or in a children’s home, you might go to a school in a different area from the one that looks after you.
Here’s how it works:
So, even if your school is in a different place, the people who look after you and the people who manage your education work together to make sure you get the support you need.
Financial Support For Education
Pupil Premium
If you’re a looked-after child, your school gets extra money called Pupil Premium to help you do your best.
Extra curricular activities
Your foster carer, social worker or PA will be able to support in accessing a club, if that's something that you fancy trying.
Funding for sports
Your social worker, PA or foster carer will be able to let you know about any funding that you can access to cover the costs of the sport(s) you want to do.
Clubs and teams may also be able to help you with funding as well.
Additional Funding and Support:
Financial Support For Education
Pupil Premium
If you’re a looked-after child, your school gets extra money called Pupil Premium to help you do your best.
Extra curricular activities
Your foster carer, social worker or PA will be able to support in accessing a club, if that's something that you fancy trying.
Funding for sports
Your social worker, PA or foster carer will be able to let you know about any funding that you can access to cover the costs of the sport(s) you want to do.
Clubs and teams may also be able to help you with funding as well.
Additional Funding and Support:
Below is a create video created by care leavers and discusses their pathways after leaving school.
Below is a create video created by care leavers and discusses their pathways after leaving school.
If you would like to go to university we will support you to do this. Have a think about what subjects you find interesting and enjoyable, and the job you might like to do in the future.
There is some helpful advice on what support you are entitled to on the Care Leavers Association website for care leavers.
What financial support can I get?
If you decide to go to university, and are a former relevant care leaver, you will be entitled to a Higher Education Bursary from Children's Services which is £2000 paid over the life of the course (usually 3 years).
All care leavers going into higher education should talk to their personal adviser about other financial support Children's Services may be able to provide. In Hampshire we have a simple financial assessment that looks at the income you are receiving through student loans, grants and any bursary from the university itself and we then look at what your rent and living costs are. If there is a shortfall Children's Services will pay you a weekly top up.
If you work part-time alongside your university course don't worry as we will not take this into account when doing your financial assessment.
For those young people wanting to return to former carers during the holidays Children's Services will fund this so you don't have to.
If you have a disability, you may also receive the Disabled Students' Allowance.
What if I move to live near my university?
Setting up home allowance:
If you would like to go to university we will support you to do this. Have a think about what subjects you find interesting and enjoyable, and the job you might like to do in the future.
There is some helpful advice on what support you are entitled to on the Care Leavers Association website for care leavers.
What financial support can I get?
If you decide to go to university, and are a former relevant care leaver, you will be entitled to a Higher Education Bursary from Children's Services which is £2000 paid over the life of the course (usually 3 years).
All care leavers going into higher education should talk to their personal adviser about other financial support Children's Services may be able to provide. In Hampshire we have a simple financial assessment that looks at the income you are receiving through student loans, grants and any bursary from the university itself and we then look at what your rent and living costs are. If there is a shortfall Children's Services will pay you a weekly top up.
If you work part-time alongside your university course don't worry as we will not take this into account when doing your financial assessment.
For those young people wanting to return to former carers during the holidays Children's Services will fund this so you don't have to.
If you have a disability, you may also receive the Disabled Students' Allowance.
What if I move to live near my university?
Setting up home allowance:
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation offer grants of up to £1,000 for young people who are 18 – 25 and have been in care with Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council or Portsmouth City Council. Find their grant application form and a guide to help you complete it.
The Evelyn Mace Scholarship is for those in care or care leavers that have been in the care of Hampshire County Council. The fund is usually awarded to young people who are pursuing arts or drama, such as drama courses, music lessons or higher education that involves drama or the arts.
With the Unite Foundation scholarship, you’ll have accommodation and bills covered for up to 3 years at university. That includes all through the holidays too, so you don’t have to wonder where to go during Christmas or summer. You can even stay the summer after you graduate to plan your next move. The team will help you settle in, keep in touch and offer opportunities for employment and enjoyment.
Rees Foundation are keen to support grant applications from care experienced adults specifically to help with careers development and Higher Education where no other funding sources are available. They may help you with incidental costs whilst attending an education or training course, dependent on circumstances. They include (but are not limited to); equipment, materials and travel.
The Sutton Trust support young people from less advantaged backgrounds (including young people who are care experienced) to access leading universities and careers. They run engaging programmes that give students practical advice and leave them feeling inspired and more confident about their future.
Their programmes are completely free to attend. All costs – including travel, accommodation, food and activities – are paid for by the Trust and our partners.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation offer grants of up to £1,000 for young people who are 18 – 25 and have been in care with Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Southampton City Council or Portsmouth City Council. Find their grant application form and a guide to help you complete it.
The Evelyn Mace Scholarship is for those in care or care leavers that have been in the care of Hampshire County Council. The fund is usually awarded to young people who are pursuing arts or drama, such as drama courses, music lessons or higher education that involves drama or the arts.
With the Unite Foundation scholarship, you’ll have accommodation and bills covered for up to 3 years at university. That includes all through the holidays too, so you don’t have to wonder where to go during Christmas or summer. You can even stay the summer after you graduate to plan your next move. The team will help you settle in, keep in touch and offer opportunities for employment and enjoyment.
Rees Foundation are keen to support grant applications from care experienced adults specifically to help with careers development and Higher Education where no other funding sources are available. They may help you with incidental costs whilst attending an education or training course, dependent on circumstances. They include (but are not limited to); equipment, materials and travel.
The Sutton Trust support young people from less advantaged backgrounds (including young people who are care experienced) to access leading universities and careers. They run engaging programmes that give students practical advice and leave them feeling inspired and more confident about their future.
Their programmes are completely free to attend. All costs – including travel, accommodation, food and activities – are paid for by the Trust and our partners.