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Download the annual report:

• Annual Report 2022 to 2023 (PDF)

Educational establishments looking for support with meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks: 

The Careers & Enterprise Company and ȫ��̽�� Virtual School have produced a Careers Explainer for Designated Teachers which explains: 

• careers education landscape
• what does a DT need to know
• focused support programmes
• local careers programmes and initiatives
• other useful links and support.

Download:

Here is the link to the:

Download guidance for social workers:

• Attendance leaflet (PDF)
• School Admissions for children with an EHCP (a Social Worker Guide) (PDF)
• School Admissions for children without an EHCP (A Social Worker Guide) (PDF)

For information on promoting and supporting Inclusion and Inclusive practice in ȫ��̽��’s educational settings:

• Inclusion in Educational Settings

The Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Looked After (CLA) policy by ȫ��̽�� Virtual School outlines schools key responsibilities and duties to promote the educational achievement of Looked after Children.

This Policy applies to all CLA and PLAC and it must be read in conjunction with government guidance documents.

See the policy here: ȫ��̽�� Virtual School Policy for Previously Looked After Children (PDF)

Two new documents published by the Department for Education (DfE) are extremely relevant to PLAC. Both of these have the potential to influence how schools work with PLAC and their families.

Website:

Key points to consider:

• the guidance is statutory therefore schools must comply
• the guidance recognises that PLAC are likely to have barriers to their learning
• it requires that all schools have a member of staff who will promote PLAC
  • this person should be in a senior position with the ability to influence whole school decisions
  • they should also receive regular training ensuring other staff access training and are kept updated
• PLAC social, emotional and academic needs are a priority
• the importance of involving parents in decisions about their child’s education and ensuring good home-school links are built this includes involvement about how pupil premium plus is spent
• the importance of relationships between staff and pupils and the importance of enabling children to have voice is identified
• there is recognition that PLAC are more likely to have special educational needs and mental health needs
• direction is given for schools to put in the right support to avoid exclusion of a previously looked-after child becoming necessary
• introduces the new requirement for Virtual School Heads (VSH) to make information and advice available to parents and schools in relation to previously looked after children
• the guidance is clear about schools needing to ensure sufficient flexibility in their behaviour policy to meet the needs of PLAC

- This is the main safeguarding document that schools need to be familiar with, in terms of PLAC, the guidance states:

"A previously looked after child potentially remains vulnerable and all staff should have the skills, knowledge and understanding to keep previously looked after children safe. When dealing with looked after children and previously looked after children, it is important that all agencies work together and prompt action is taken when necessary to safeguard these children, who are a particularly vulnerable group.” (Point 95).

View statutory guidance:

This is a useful guide to help and support your child when they transition to a new school or year group:

• Transition Guidance for Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children (PDF)

Audit tool for evaluating the effectiveness of a school or settings provision for children or young people supported by ȫ��̽�� Virtual School:

• CLA/CSW Quality Assurance Audit

Training and supportive programmes for businesses, individuals and educational establishments: