Guidance for Schools with Children who Left Care through a Permanency Order

This guide (PDF, 704kb) has been put together by the 18 Virtual Schools in the South East of England.

It is designed to support Designated Teachers and wider school staff, in their understanding of children’s journeys to becoming permanently placed with different families other than with their birth parents, under a Permanence Order.

The government refer to this group of children as Previously Looked After, i.e. they have been in the care of a Local Authority prior to becoming adopted or living with a family under a Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements Order. Children and Social Work Act 2017 (legislation.gov.uk) Some local authorities use the term ‘children previously in care’. Oxfordshire use the term 'Previously Cared for Children'.

The guide provides some practical advice, as well as information, on how to support these children and their families through their children’s educational journeys.