The £2,690 Most Adoptive Parents Have Never Heard Of
- David Church
- Jul 20
- 5 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
When my own child was adopted, I expected the school to discuss Pupil Premium Plus with me. After thirteen years as a Deputy Head, I knew what it was, its value, and what it should fund. Yet, nobody mentioned it. I had to ask.
If a former senior leader has to bring it up, what happens to every parent who doesn't even know the term exists? That question has lingered with me since founding Braythorpe.
Understanding Pupil Premium Plus
I've sat in many school meetings as a Deputy Head, explaining funding to families. Each perspective teaches you something unique. From the school side, I learned that most staff genuinely want to do right by students. However, funding rules can be dense enough to trip up even the most conscientious individuals. From the parent side, even a well-informed one, I discovered that nobody hands you a manual. Unless you know to ask, you often find out what you're entitled to by accident—or not at all.
Pupil Premium Plus sits right in that gap. It's one of the most significant entitlements for adopted or looked-after children, yet it's one of the least understood on both sides of the gate.
What Is Pupil Premium Plus?
For the 2026–27 academic year, Pupil Premium Plus is worth £2,690 per pupil for every child who is currently or was previously in care, from Reception through to Year 11. This includes children adopted from care and those under a special guardianship or child arrangements order.
The funding exists because evidence shows that early adversity, placement instability, and developmental trauma significantly impact how a child learns. Closing that gap requires more than good intentions. It's not just a top-up; it's roughly double what a child on standard Pupil Premium receives.
Once a child is adopted, their legal category changes from looked-after to previously looked-after. With this change, some of the support structures fall away. There's no longer a statutory Personal Education Plan or a Virtual School to ensure termly targets are met. The money still follows the child, but the scaffolding that held schools accountable for spending it wisely doesn't follow in the same way.
This is where things can start to drift—not due to bad faith, but because nobody is quite sure whose responsibility it is to ask the right questions.
Common Misconceptions
One myth I often encountered as a Deputy Head was that "Pupil Premium Plus is for catching kids up academically." I heard some version of this in countless budget conversations. It's not true, and it can be an expensive misunderstanding when left unchallenged.
The DfE's own spending framework outlines three tiers aligned with the EEF's tiered model. These tiers include high-quality teaching, targeted academic support, and a third tier explicitly focused on non-academic barriers: attendance, behaviour, and social and emotional wellbeing. SEMH provision and therapeutic support are included in that third tier.
The actual condition is not that spending must appear academic. Instead, it must be evidence-informed and linked to a child's educational outcomes. A child who feels anxious every morning and struggles to settle by first break isn't accessing the curriculum any better than one who's behind on phonics. Both are barriers to learning, yet only one often gets funded without a fight.
Funding After Adoption
Another common question I hear from parents is, "Now she's adopted, does the funding just stop?" The answer is no. This is the myth I hear most from the parent chair. The entitlement doesn't end at adoption; what changes is who oversees it.
While a child is in care, funding flows through the Virtual School Head and is tied to a termly Personal Education Plan. Once adopted, the funding goes directly to the school, and there's no equivalent statutory document ensuring regular conversations about how it's being used. The school still has to spend it on that individual child's needs, but nobody is required to check in with you in the same structured way.
This isn't a loophole; it's a genuine gap in the system. It’s where a parent asking the right questions can make the most significant impact.
Questions Worth Asking
These questions should not be seen as challenges. Instead, they represent a straightforward conversation that most schools are happy to have once someone initiates it:
What does our Pupil Premium Plus strategy look like for my child specifically, rather than the wider cohort?
How much of the £2,690 has been allocated this year, and for what purposes?
Is any of it being used for emotional or therapeutic support, or is it strictly academic?
If my child has an EHCP, how are the SEND budget and PP+ working together instead of overlapping?
Who is the Designated Teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children here, and can I speak to them directly?
Every school has that Designated Teacher role. It’s statutory, not optional, and it's the right door to knock on.
If you want a comprehensive reference for your meeting, our free guide, Pupil Premium Plus: Facts vs Myths, lays out the DfE rules in full, with every claim sourced and hyperlinked. You won't have to take our word for it.
The Importance of Dialogue
The gap between what this funding can achieve and what it actually does rarely stems from bad faith. Instead, it often results from an honest conversation that hasn't taken place because nobody knew whose responsibility it was to start it.
I've made calls to inform parents that their child needs more support. I've also made calls as a parent, asking schools what is being done with the funding attached to my child. Neither role is comfortable, but both are necessary. They work much better when each person understands what the other is facing.
If you're uncertain about how your child's Pupil Premium Plus is being used or want to approach that conversation prepared, a parent consultation can help you get there.
Conclusion
Navigating the complexities of Pupil Premium Plus can be daunting. However, understanding its purpose and how to advocate for your child can make a significant difference. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. With the right questions and support, you can ensure your child receives the help they need to thrive.
Sources
This article is for general information and isn't legal advice.
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