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What a Personal Education Plan (PEP) is, what happens at PEP meetings and how PEPs are submitted and monitored.
What a Personal Education Plan (PEP) is
A PEP is part of a young person's care plan. It's a record of the child's views and a plan of how everyone is supporting their education to ensure they achieve the best outcomes.
A PEP includes information about:
- how the young person thinks and feels about education
- the young person's educational progress
- how to help the young person progress
- their attendance
- any support they're getting in their education setting
- the difference Pupil Premium has made for school-aged children
- future Pupil Premium funding needs for school-aged children
- 16 to 19 Bursary Fund spending for post 16 students
Children in care should have a PEP from 2 years old (if they're in an education setting), to the age of 18.
PEP meetings
To start the PEP process, the child's social worker, supported by the virtual school, must organise a PEP meeting with the child's education setting.
We ask the designated teacher to chair the meeting. The PEP form is discussed and completed at the meeting.
PEP meetings should also happen if a young person is not in education, including if they're post 16 and not in education, employment or training (NEET).
The PEP meeting will include the:
- child or young person
- carer
- social worker
- designated teacher or key member of staff from the education setting
The child's views are central to the PEP. If the child cannot attend the meeting, a key member of staff from the education setting should go through the child's section of the form with them, before the meeting.
As the lead professional for the care plan, the child's social worker must be at every PEP meeting. If the social worker cannot attend, they need to send a replacement. If they can't send a replacement, they should reschedule the meeting.
The social worker should invite the young person's lead from the virtual school. The lead won't be able to go to every meeting, but we do prioritise first PEP meetings and meetings for young people having difficulties in their education.
The social worker may invite other people to the meeting, like:
- other professionals, such as the carer's supervising social worker
- the child's parents
Meetings are held:
- within 20 working days of a child first coming into care
- every academic term (spring, summer and autumn)
PEP system
PEPs are completed online using the Welfare Call system. Social workers and designated teachers can use the system to view and edit PEPs.
After the PEP meeting
After the PEP meeting, the PEP form is completed and signed off by the designated teacher and social worker. The virtual school lead will monitor the PEP quality. The PEP must be complete and meet quality standards for Pupil Premium funding to be released.
Timelines for submission and monitoring:
- designated teacher must complete and sign off the PEP form within 5 working days of the PEP meeting
- social worker must review and sign off the PEP form within 7 working days of the PEP meeting
- virtual school lead reviews the PEP form within 10 working days of submission and provides feedback to the setting
The range of activities and projects run by or in partnership with The HOPE.
The HOPE Creative
The HOPE Creative offers in-person workshops on a monthly basis and free online one-to-one music lessons for children in care aged 6 to 18 in Bristol.
The HOPE Creative online one to one lessons
If your child wants to do music lessons and already attends The HOPE Creative, they'll try to pair your child with one of their regular tutors. If they can't do this, they'll give you a tutor with similar skills and experience. All their tutors are qualified, experienced and DBS checked.
The HOPE Creative tailors their online lessons to meet the needs and interests of each young person. They'll arrange a phone call with you before matching your child with a tutor.
Your child doesn't have to choose a specific instrument, although they can if they want to. You don't need any musical equipment at home.
Lessons can be creative and exploratory, develop skills, or both. You can talk to The HOPE Creative about how to make the online format work for your child.
Lessons are held between 9am and 7pm from Monday to Saturday. You get a one hour slot, and you decide how much of the hour your child uses. You agree this with the tutor. You also decide with the tutor how often your child has lessons. The lessons will be over 2 school terms.
Sometimes a member of the Bristol Beacon will join a lesson:
- to check the quality of the lesson, and
- for safeguarding purposes
A child's social worker can also come to lessons if they want to.
How online lessons work
The HOPE Creative do the lessons on a Microsoft Teams or Zoom video call. They're both free to use.
When you've booked your lessons, The HOPE Creative email you a 'How to guide' for parents and carers. This explains how to join the lessons, and how your tutor will run them.
What you need for online lessons
- Internet access with a minimum download speed of 8Mbps, and a minimum upload speed of 1.5Mbps. Test your internet speed Go to https://www.google.com/search?q=internet+speed+test (opens new window).
- A computer, laptop or tablet, like an iPad, with a built-in camera or webcam and a microphone. You can use a smartphone but it's better to use something with a bigger screen.
How to register for online lessons
To find out more or to register for lessons, email bookings@bristolbeacon.org. In your email, say that you want more information about The HOPE Creative Online. The HOPE Creative will reply as soon as they can.
Read The HOPE Creative's Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct Go to https://bristol-beacon-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/01/Hope-Creative-and-Flow-Creative-Online-Terms-and-Conditions-2021-2022_JAN.pdf (opens new window) before your child starts their lessons.
The Letterbox Club
The Letterbox Club Go to https://www.booktrust.org.uk/supporting-you/practitioners/our-programmes/letterbox-club/ (opens new window) is a national project run by BookTrust.
In 2022 about 150 pupils from Years N2, 1, 3, 5 and 7 are taking part in the project.
Each child is sent a parcel of books, maths games and stationery once a month for 6 months, from May 2022.
BookTrust commissioned a report on Reading in Foster Families. Go to https://www.booktrust.org.uk/globalassets/resources/research/reading-in-foster-families-summary-report_-final.pdf (opens new window)
My Books
My Books is a project run by Bristol Libraries and The HOPE.
In 2022, the project includes over 50 children from Years 2, 4 and 6.
From September 2022 a parcel containing a book, resources and fun educational materials is sent to the child's home setting each month for 6 months.
The foster carer also gets a letter with hints and tips on how to use the packs and information about Bristol Libraries.
The progress of every child taking part in The Letterbox Club and My Books is tracked in The HOPE's database.
Visits to universities
The HOPE organises visits to universities for young people in care to get a taster of higher education as an option for their future.
National Citizen Service (NCS)
The NCS offers 15 to 17 year olds the chance to embark on exhilarating challenges and build skills for work and life.
The service offers a 2 or 3 week programme in teams of 15 young people.
The 3 week programme includes:
- an adventure week away
- a week of developing your skills
- a week to design and deliver a social action project of your choice
The 2 week programme is exactly the same, however it's more suitable for those who prefer not to stay away from home, as it does not include the first adventure week.
The NCS takes place in the local community outside term time. Care experienced young people are eligible for a bursary.
Find out more about the NCS Go to http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/ (opens new window).
Some of The HOPE's young people have taken part in the NCS. pdf Read about their experiences (91 KB) .
Work experience
The HOPE can sometimes help arrange work experience for young people in care. Some of Bristol City Council's departments have been able to provide opportunities, such as the Legal team. Contact The HOPE lead Go to web/the-hope/contact (opens new window) for the young person if you have questions.
This page has both national and Bristol guidance documents relating to the education of children in care, plus The HOPE's specific policies and procedures.
National guidance documents
- Promoting the education of looked after and previously looked after children (guidance for Local Authorities) Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-the-education-of-looked-after-children (opens new window), Department for Education, February 2018
- Improving the attainment of looked after children in primary schools Go to https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/SchoolsSO/Page9/DCSF-01047-2009 (opens new window), Department for Education (DCSF 2009)
- Improving the attainment of looked after children in secondary schools Go to https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/SchoolsSO/Page9/DCSF-01048-2009 (opens new window), Department for Education (DCSF 2009)
- The designated teacher for looked after children and previously looked after children Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-teacher-for-looked-after-children (opens new window), Department for Education, February 2018
- Looked after children: good practice in schools Go to http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20141124154759/http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/looked-after-children-good-practice-schools (opens new window), National Archives (Ofsted 2008)
- Supporting looked-after learners: a practical guide for school governors Go to http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100202084034/http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/resources-and-practice/ig00029/ (opens new window), National Archives (DCSF 2006)
- Care Planning, Placements and Case Review Regulations Go to https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DCSF-00185-2010 (opens new window), National Archives (DCSF 2010)
- Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2 (opens new window), Department for Education
Bristol guidance documents
- document Attendance plan for CiC example (36 KB)
- pdf Induction and leaving processes for children in care (299 KB)
- pdf Model confidential school file for CiC (188 KB) , template of what a school's file for a CiC should contain
- pdf Model policy for CiC for schools (144 KB) , intended as a template for primary schools to adapt according to their own circumstances
- pdf Principles for administering Bursary funds for CiC/care leavers (418 KB)
- pdf Early Years policy for CiC (418 KB) (Redcliffe Children's Centre has given us permission to share their school policy)
- pdf FE policy on supporting young people in care or care leavers (45 KB) (St Brendan's Sixth Form College have given permission to share their policy)
- pdf When a child comes into care (186 KB) , guidance for schools on social care processes when a child comes into local authority care
- Guidance for Bristol City Council social workers is available on The Source Go to https://bristolcouncil.sharepoint.com/sites/TheSource (opens new window), Bristol City Council's intranet
Who we are and how to contact us.
Email: thehope@bristol.gov.uk
Call: 0117 903 6282
Write: The HOPE Virtual School for Children in Care (CH), PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE
You can see who's in the team and their main areas of responsibility below.
Interim Virtual School Headteacher
James Gregory
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
james.gregory@bristol.gov.uk
SEND and Transitions Lead
Rebecca (Becky) Harrison
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
rebecca.harrison@bristol.gov.uk
Senior Education Advocate
Katherine Juniper
Available: Monday to Wednesday in term time
katherine.juniper@bristol.gov.uk
Senior Advocate: Children with a Social Worker
Hattie Billsberry
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
hattie.billsberry@bristol.gov.uk
Early Years Support Teacher (nursery to reception)
Anne Mortimore: Children in care in the early years, and children in care placed for adoption
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
anne.mortimore@bristol.gov.uk
Y1 to 5 Advocate
Sarah Peacock
Available: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in term time
sarah.peacock@bristol.gov.uk
Y1 to 5 Advocate
Ian Hutton
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
ian.hutton@bristol.gov.uk
Y6 to 11 Advocate
Rene Katiisa
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
rene.katiisa@bristol.gov.uk
Y6 to 11 Advocate
Carrie-Anne Palmer
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
carrie-anne.palmer@bristol.gov.uk
Y6 to Y11 Advocate
Katie Hook
Available: Monday to Friday in term time
katie.hook@bristol.gov.uk
Y6 to 11 Advocate
Craig Barnett
Available: Monday to Friday
craig.barnett@bristol.gov.uk
Post 16 Advocate
Penny Russell
Available: Tuesday to Thursday in term time
penny.russell@bristol.gov.uk
Post 16 Advocate
Angela Ryan
Monday to Friday in term time
angela.ryan@bristol.gov.uk
Education Advocate for Previously Looked After Children
Shelina Jerram
Tuesday, Wednesday morning and Thursday in term time
shelina.jerram@bristol.gov.uk
Business support staff
Business Support and Data Coordinator
Meilir Tecwyn: Establishment Portal and Pupil Premium
Available: Monday to Friday
meilir.tecwyn@bristol.gov.uk
Business Support Officer
George Lane
Available: Monday to Friday
george.lane@bristol.gov.uk
The HOPE staff team are working both at home, in schools and in the office in a blended approach.
We're checking the main HOPE voicemail regularly and we will pass on any messages to the relevant staff member.
You can still contact us via email or phone.
The HOPE Headlines
The HOPE shares a termly email with our partners and stakeholders.
Copies of the HOPE Headlines:
- pdf Issue 10 (Term 2, 2022/23) (214 KB)
- pdf Issue 9 (Term 1, 2022/23) (154 KB)
- pdf Issue 8 (Term 6, 2021/22) (133 KB)
- pdf Issue 7 (Term 5, 2021/22) (204 KB)
- pdf Issue 6 (Term 4, 2021/22) (135 KB)
- pdf Issue 5 (Term 3 2021/22) (142 KB)
- pdf Issue 4 (Term 2 2021/22) (142 KB)
- pdf Issue 3 (Term 1, 2021/22) (146 KB)
- pdf Issue 2 (Term 6, 2020/21) (132 KB)
- pdf Issue 1 (Term 5, 2020/21) (149 KB)
If you would like to be added to the circulation list, email thehope@bristol.gov.uk
Previous copies of the HOPE briefings and newsletters
The HOPE briefing
2021
pdf Issue 29 January 2021 (254 KB)
2020
- pdf Issue 28 September 2020 (238 KB)
- pdf Issue 27 May 2020 (378 KB)
- pdf Issue 26 January 2020 (452 KB)
The HOPE newsletter
2021
pdf Issue 29 March 2021 (268 KB)
2020
- pdf Issue 28 November 2020 (359 KB)
- pdf Issue 27 July 2020 (266 KB)
- pdf Issue 26 March 2020 (282 KB)
The HOPE on Twitter
Our Twitter feed has news, mainly about education and social care issues.
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