Launch of ePEP Online Electronic Personal Education Plan

As Halton Borough Council’s new strap line states, ‘It’s all happening in Halton’ and the Council has achieved a first in interactive education plans.

On Thursday 28th April at the Holiday Inn, Runcorn, Youth Media, in partnership with Halton Borough Council launched the state of the art, multimedia, interactive Electronic Personal Education Plan, or ePEP. Visitors were able to see the program in action and speak to the people involved in developing the project.

In August 2006, Youth Media enjoyed yet another landmark success with the launch of the EPEP Electronic Personal Education Plan Online demonstration, allowing a number of authorities in the North of England to trial the program and provide feedback, which has proved invaluable to Youth Media in its ongoing endeavours to build upon and improve its already impressive catalogue of software even further.

As a result of these highly successful software trials, Youth Media now have Halton Borough Council, North Yorkshire Council, Northumberland Council, Rochdale Council, Leeds City Council, Lincolnshire Council, Manchester City Council, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool Council all participating in the EPEP Online Trial.  The Northern Consortium are also responsible for the latest enhancements and improvements within EPEP Online, allowing Social Workers to track and monitor PEPs in progress.

The Electronic Personal Education Plan is an interactive Multimedia program that provides a fun, stimulating and enjoyable alternative to traditional paper based PEPs.

Halton’s ePEP has attracted a lot of regional and national attention. All attendees of the launch were positive and very excited about ePEP particularly as it included participation from young people from conception to production.

ePEP is relevant to all Looked After Children, their Carers, Social Workers, Designated Teachers and Governors.

It has been noted throughout many local authorities that paper based PEPs can often be viewed by young people as a tiresome and laborious chore. However, the ePEP brings a virtual world to any young person, utilising the latest in 3D animation to create an interactive and vivid environment, much less intimidating than pens and paper!

The ePEP’s strength comes from its multiple achievements – successfully aiding professionals in their jobs and gaining accurate information from a young person.

Linked to the government agenda of raising educational achievements and life chances of looked after children, the ePEPs are also relevant to all five outcomes of the Children Act and the related government targets. 

This will enable the Council to more effectively monitor the educational progress of children who are looked after by Halton and consequently improve educational achievement and participation.

Feedback from the visitors proved positive; below are a few comments made after the event:

‘Excellent tool. Excellent presentation. The enthusiasm of those involved came through very strongly.

Its successful use depends on the people using it. But, so far so good. Halton – and Youth Media – are to be congratulated, and I will use it as a reference point in working with various providers of care for Looked After Children.
Thank you!’

Jeff Banham
Commission for Social Care Inspection

‘Very interesting, well worth coming!’

Rose Barton
Foster Carer

‘Absolutely brilliant, can’t wait to get stuck in. Kids will love ‘disgusting’ sounds.’

Chris Pugh
Foster Carer

‘A very useful demonstration of a fantastic product that will prove useful in finding the views of looked after young people. Perhaps the concept of ePEP could be extended to all young people in the authority to ensure their voices are also heard.’

Ursula Burgon
Education Welfare Service

‘Useful demonstration that highlights the need for Education and Social Services to work in partnership to improve the outcomes of LAE in Halton.’

‘Excellent demonstration and concept, my only concern is whether it will be implemented properly and reviewed regularly.’

‘I think the children will be much more engaged by this PEP, and the responsibility will also be placed back in the hands of the Social Worker.’

‘Thought the technology was very good. My question, as ever, is about targets – if extra support, tuition, books etc. are needed, who will provide / fund this? Otherwise, it is a pointless exercise.’

‘Generally good. Looks fantastic. Does it cost a lot? Kids will LOVE IT!’

Howard Flanders
Weston Point School