Pupil Premium Plus

Pupil Premium Plus is extra funding that schools in England can use to help improve educational outcomes for children who are currently or were previously looked after by the local authority. As such, some children in kinship care will be eligible for Pupil Premium Plus, including many who are cared for under a Special Guardianship Order or a Child Arrangements Order.

Pupil Premium Plus is only available for schools in England. The funding rate for the year 2023-24 is £2,530 per eligible child.

For schools in Wales, read about the Pupil Development Grant (GOV.WALES).

How is Pupil Premium Plus delivered?

If you are a family and friends foster carer and the child you care for is currently looked after by the local authority, this additional funding is paid directly to the local authority and managed by the virtual school head. They should work with the school to ensure the funding is used appropriately.

If you are a kinship carer and your child has previously been looked after by the local authority, this additional funding is paid to the school.

How to inform the school that your child is eligible for Pupil Premium Plus

You will need to self-declare your child’s eligibility for Pupil Premium Plus by providing the school with proof of your child’s status. For example, this could be a photocopy of the child arrangements order or special guardianship order. If you do not have the order, you can apply to the court for a copy. Alternatively, you can get a letter from the local authority, adoption agency or social worker to confirm previously looked after status.

The school must record this information in the Autumn census, which takes place in October. Therefore, it is important that you inform the school well before the census.  If your child changes school, you will need to declare their status again.

When providing proof of your child’s status, you may choose to conceal sensitive information on the documentation.  The school does not have to keep a copy of the order – they only need to check the order to clarify eligibility. The school must keep this information confidential and only share it with relevant members of staff.

What is Pupil Premium Plus spent on?

Funding from Pupil Premium Plus is used for the benefit of all the children who are entitled to it. It’s not an individual budget for your child and the school decides the best way to spend it.

Because Pupil Premium Plus is designed to support looked after children who may have experienced early life trauma, it can be spent in a range of ways to benefit pupils. Normally carers and guardians are consulted, along with key agencies and stakeholders, in deciding how the funding is spent to support your child. As well as paying for direct support for academic needs, the funding can be invested in supporting children’s social and emotional needs.

Pupil Premium Plus can help with:

• Practical adjustments to support children with attainment at school
• Support for children’s academic, social and emotional needs
• Training teaching and support staff

How can I check that Pupil Premium Plus has been spent appropriately?

Your child’s school should publish a statement on their website which explains their pupil premium strategy. You can also speak with the Designated Teacher (GOV.UK) – the member of staff who is responsible for promoting the achievement of looked after and previously looked after children at that school. They will likely be the main point of contact for anything about Pupil Premium Plus.

Every local authority children’s services in England has a Virtual School that is responsible for improving educational outcomes for looked after and previously looked after children. Your local Virtual School should work with your child’s school to determine how to best spend Pupil Premium Plus.