Personal education plans will help young people achieve full potential

Health Minister, Edwin Poots and Education Minister, John O’Dowd, have welcomed the launch of Personal Education Plans for looked after children and young people.
~ Thursday, 19 January 2012

One of the proposals within the Executive-endorsed ‘Care Matters’ strategy was the introduction of a Personal Education Plan (PEP) for every looked after child or young person, in order to improve their educational and economic outcomes.

Speaking at the joint launch in Parliament Buildings, Health Minister Edwin Poots said: “We know that looked after children are among the most disadvantaged in our society and, through no fault of their own, have historically tended to have lower educational achievements and be outperformed by their peers.

“Looked after children and young people deserve to receive exactly the same education and training opportunities as any child and the PEP will promote positive educational outcomes for the young person, and help them to fulfil their potential and achieve their aspirations. Indeed, the Personal Education Plan considers the elements and outcomes that every parent considers for their child’s future and independence as they progress into adulthood.”

The Personal Education Plan (PEP), to which schools, social workers, carers and children all contribute, is tailored to the individual child and establishes clear targets and actions in order to address their specific needs. The PEP provides a continuous record of their educational history and achievements, allowing a smoother transition when the child moves school.

Education Minister, John O’Dowd said: “Of the children who left care in 2009/10, only 17% achieved 5 GCSEs at Grades A to C compared with over 70% of general school leavers. Forty-three percent left care with no qualifications at all.

“That is why we are here today. Evidence tells us that many ‘looked after’ children massively underachieve in education. This is not their fault and we all have a responsibility to give children the broad and rich educational experience that they deserve.

“Last year, I set out a vision for the future of education. My clear priority is to create an education service that ensures that everyone receives a high-quality education and make sure that it is the needs of our young people that are to the fore.

The implementation of Personal Education Plans for looked after children is one of a range of measures supported by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), the Department of Education, the Health and Social Care Board, Health and Social Care Trusts and the Education and Library Boards, with the support of a number of voluntary sector organisations.

Initiatives, including the new Personal Education Plans and the established Fostering Achievement Scheme, address educational outcomes for looked after children and young people and aim to build on their educational achievements as well as address this imbalance between outcomes for looked after children and their peers.

Minister Poots continued: “We all have a shared responsibility towards our looked after children and young people and the PEP is proof of the positive change that can be brought about through cooperation and multi-disciplinary working.”

Minister O’Dowd concluded: “The Personal Education Plan will roll out for every child and young person of statutory school age in the care system. It will provide continuity between placements and will contribute to improved communication, early identification of specific needs and a smoother transition when a child moves school.”

Notes to editors:

1. The roll out of Personal Education Plans for looked after children began on 1 December 2011.

2. Care Matters was issued for consultation by the DHSSPS in 2007 and fully endorsed by the Northern Ireland Executive in 2009. It is a cross-departmental strategy which outlines a strategic vision for wide-ranging improvements in services to children and young people in and on the edge of care by a number of measures, including improving educational opportunities for children in care and strengthening support for young people leaving care as they make the transition to adulthood.

3. Further information on Personal Education Plans for looked after children can be found on the DHSSPS website

4. Further information on the Care Matters in Northern Ireland strategy can also be found on the DHSSPS website

5. Media enquiries about this press release to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.