Children looked after
'Children looked after' are those in the care of a Trust or who are provided with accommodation by a Trust. They may be living in residential homes or schools, with foster carers, or with a family relative or friend.
A Life Deserved: “Caring” for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland Strategy
The ‘A Life Deserved: “Caring” for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland’ Strategy aims to improve the wellbeing of children and young people who are already in care, at risk of entering care and those who have recently left care.
The rights-focused strategy was developed in collaboration with care-experienced children and young people and has been informed by carers, those who work directly with them or on their behalf across the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, including a number of government departments. It will also be implemented across departments, agencies and sectors.
‘A Life Deserved: “Caring” for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland’ Strategy
A Life Deserved - Caring for Children & Young People in Northern Ireland Strategy - Teenage version
Children Looked After Strategy - Consultation Report
Personal Education Plans
Circular 2011/24 - The introduction of Personal Education Plans for looked after children, provides information for schools on the introduction of Personal Education Plans (PEP) for Looked After Children. Circular 2023/03 below replaces this circular for primary age pupils.
- Annex A provides guidance on roles, responsibilities and completion of the Personal Education Plan
- Annex B is a sample of Section 2 of the Personal Education Plan which will be sent out by the child/young person's social worker
- Annex C is a list of contact details for Looked After Children Teams
Quick reference Guides have been created to help with the completion of Section 2 of the Personal Education Plans.
- PEP - Quick Reference Guide - Section 2
Revised guidance on Personal Education Plans for primary age Children Looked After
This revised guidance form is an important step towards the fulfilment of a number of commitments within the joint Department of Education and Department of Health Strategy ‘A Life Deserved: Caring for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland’. This replaces circular 2011/24 for primary age pupils, however circular 2011/24 remains in place for post primary age pupils at present.
Circular 2023/03 - Revised Personal Education Plan Guidance for Children Looked After
Educational Support
The Putting care into Education resource booklet is a guide for educators of care-experienced children and young people in Northern Ireland.