Pupil premium plus

What is pupil premium plus? 

Pupil premium plus is special funding for schools in England for children in care, or children who have been in the care of children’s services. It is currently around £2,500 per pupil per year. It is paid to schools to promote the education of pupils who are in or who have been in the care of children’s services. The funding is not a personal budget for a particular child but must be spent on improving educational outcomes for children in the care of (or previously in the care of) children’s services.

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.

What is early years pupil premium plus? 

Your child might be entitled to early years pupil premium plus if the child in your care:

• is under 5
• in nursery or attending a childminder
• left care through a special guardianship order or a child arrangements order

This could be around £350 per year and is paid directly to the provider. While it is not a personal budget for your child, it should be spent in a way that benefits children who have left care. Speak to your childcare provider about how they can apply.

How is pupil premium plus delivered? 

The additional funding is paid directly to the local authority. It is then managed by the virtual school head, within the local authority, who will work directly with the school to ensure the funding is used appropriately.

How to let the school know your child is eligible 

If your child is eligible, contact your school about this funding. You will need to provide them with proof of your child’s status, so that they can apply.  The school must record this information in the Autumn census, which takes place in October. It’s important that you inform the school well before the census.  If your child changes school, you will need to declare their status again.

The proof of your child’s status could be a photocopy of a child arrangements order or special guardianship order. You could also get a letter from the local authority or social worker. When providing proof, you may wish to conceal sensitive information on the documentation. The school does not need to keep a copy – they just need to see it to confirm eligibility.

What is pupil premium plus spent on?

Funding from pupil premium plus is used for the benefit of all 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 children in care, or children who have previously been in care, 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 be spent on:

• 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 it’s been spent appropriately? 

The school must publish a statement on their website each year, which states how they are using their pupil premium plus funding appropriately. You can also speak with the member of staff who is responsible for promoting the achievement of children in care at your child’s school. They will likely be the main point of contact for anything about pupil premium plus.

Support from Kinship

Here at Kinship, we offer a range of free support for all kinship carers, including  workshops, online advice and information, and support groups.

Contact the Kinship advice team to speak to an adviser or book an appointment.

Find services, information and support in your local area using our Kinship Compass, including information about your local children’s services.