Digital Access and Learning Devices

Our approach

Digital access is an important part of education. Children and young people may need to access online learning platforms, complete homework and coursework, undertake research, revise for examinations and develop the digital skills they will need for further education, training and employment.

We want to make sure that lack of access to technology does not become a barrier to a child or young person’s learning.

In most circumstances, Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) will not be used to purchase laptops, tablets or other personal devices. We would normally expect schools, carers and social care to consider how a child’s everyday digital access needs can be met.

However, we recognise that every child’s circumstances are different. There may be occasions where a child does not have reasonable access to an appropriate device and this is having a significant impact on their education.

In these circumstances, we will consider the child’s individual needs and circumstances.

We start with the child’s educational need, not with a request for a laptop or tablet.

When a child does not have appropriate digital access

Any concerns about digital access should be discussed through the child’s Personal Education Plan (PEP).

This should be a conversation involving the child or young person, carer, school or college, social worker and Virtual School. The purpose is to understand what the child needs to access, what equipment is currently available and whether the current arrangements are preventing the child from participating fully in their education.

For example, telling us that a child needs a laptop for homework, does not own a device or has to share a family laptop would not automatically mean that PP+ funding would be agreed.

Instead, we would want to understand what impact this is having on the child’s learning and what other options are available.

What will we consider?

Before considering funding for a device, we will look at the whole situation.

This will include whether the school or college can provide or loan equipment, whether existing equipment can reasonably meet the child’s needs, whether the carer or social care can provide support, and whether another source of funding or equipment is available.

Where affordability is an issue for a parent or kinship carer, this should be discussed sensitively and without judgement. Financial circumstances vary considerably, and we want decisions to be fair and based on the individual child’s situation.

The views of everyone involved should be considered and the discussion, decision and agreed actions recorded clearly within the PEP.

Our recycled laptop offer

Walsall Virtual School works with the Council’s recycling programme to access refurbished laptops when appropriate devices become available.

Children in care and care leavers are a priority group for this support.

When laptops become available, we let social workers and relevant professionals know so that children and young people with an identified need can be considered.

Because availability depends on devices becoming available through the recycling programme, we cannot guarantee that every child who needs a laptop will receive one through this route. An urgent educational need should therefore not be left unresolved while waiting for a recycled device.

Can PP+ ever be used to provide a laptop or tablet?

Yes, but this would be in exceptional circumstances rather than our usual approach.

We may consider PP+ where the PEP demonstrates that the child has a clear educational need, lack of appropriate digital access is significantly affecting their education, other reasonable options have been explored and providing a device is expected to make a clear difference to their access, participation or progress.

For example, there may be circumstances where a young person is preparing for important examinations, is required to access significant elements of their education online and has no reasonable means of doing so.

Each request will be considered individually. A decision to support one child does not create an automatic entitlement for another child in different circumstances.

A fair and transparent process

We want decisions about digital devices to be fair, transparent and consistent.

Our approach is:

Need identified → discussed through the PEP → child, carer, school and social worker consulted → current digital access considered → alternative options explored → impact on education established → decision and actions recorded in the PEP

Where a device is agreed, the PEP should also be clear about what educational need it is intended to address and how we will know whether it has made a difference.

If a device is provided

Where a recycled device is provided, or PP+ exceptionally contributes towards a device, expectations should be clear from the outset.

Appropriate arrangements should be in place for safe internet use, security and reasonable care of the equipment. It should also be clear who is responsible for software or licences where these are needed and what should happen if the child moves school or placement.

The purpose of providing the device is to address the educational need identified through the PEP. Its impact can therefore be reviewed as part of future PEP discussions.

Frequently asked questions

My child has to share a laptop. Can they have their own?

Not automatically. We will look at whether sharing is actually preventing the child from accessing their education, how often a device is required and whether there are other reasonable options available.

The school says homework must be completed online. What should happen?

The school should consider how pupils who do not have their own device can access the learning and whether equipment or suitable access can be provided through the school.

If a significant barrier remains, this should be explored through the PEP.

What if a parent or kinship carer cannot afford a device?

Please speak to your social worker in the first instance. Financial circumstances should be discussed sensitively. We will work with the family, social worker, school and other professionals to understand the educational need and explore what support may be available.

Can I request a recycled laptop?

When refurbished laptops become available, we will let social workers and relevant professionals know. Children in care and care leavers are a priority group, but availability is dependent on suitable equipment becoming available.

What should I do if a child needs a device?

Raise the concern with the child’s Designated Teacher and social worker so that the need can be discussed and recorded through the PEP.