The Pupil Development Grant was introduced in 2012 to provide additional funding to schools to help mitigate disadvantages for pupils on free school meals and LAC. In 2015, it was decided to separate the funding provided for children eligible for free school meals (eFSM) and LAC through two separate grants. Allocations for the PDG for LAC were made to the four regional education consortia (RECs), rather than directly to schools, with the aim of facilitating a more strategic approach to using the funding across regions. The allocation amounts to a little under £4 million a year.
The grant is expected to support school improvement to reduce inequities facing LAC:

• There are around 6,000 LAC with considerable variation in the numbers between LAs and schools. LAC’s prior experiences and their experience of being in care can have profound effects on their educational progress and attainment which impact on their vocational training and employment prospects.
• While the trend over time shows LAC’s attendance and attainment (up to 2016) has generally improved, there is a large gap in attainment between LAC and other pupils at all stages of education, critically at Key Stage 4 which has a great effect on progression. This is found to varying degrees in all REC areas.

This document details placement journeys for children in care in Wales and how these compare with the outcomes aspired to in their Care Plan.

This document describes the aims of the Welsh Government in driving up academic achievement of looked after children and young people.

Refer to the Welsh version.

This document describes the Welsh Government’s programme and its six key themes to tackle the educational underachievement of children who are looked after. It should be read in conjunction with its accompanying action plan.

Young People’s Strategy (easy to read): Raising ambitions & educational attainment for looked after children in Wales

Having ambitions, reaching our goals – An easy-to-read young people’s strategy to support children who are looked after reach their goals in education and raise their ambitions.

Action Plan: Raising the ambitions and educational attainment of children who are looked after in Wales

This document sets out theme by theme the Welsh Government’s commitment to improve the educational outcomes of looked after children. It contains a timeframe of specific actions to be undertaken by the Welsh Government and its key partners. It should be read in conjunction with the strategy: Raising the ambitions and educational attainment of children who are looked after in Wales.