Support available from Virtual School
The Virtual School’s key role is to ensure children in care have the maximum opportunity to reach their full educational potential and be the educational advocate that parents are for others.
For children previously in care, we are a source of advice and information to help parents/carers to advocate for their children as effectively as possible.
For all children with a social worker, we work by being the strategic lead in championing the educational punctuality, attendance, attainment, progress, and inclusion of children with a social worker.
Please note that the role of the Virtual School is to advocate and signpost for Children in Care, Children Previously in Care, and All Children With a Social Worker. We do not work directly with them.
This table summarises what Virtual School does and does not do:
What we do
What we don't do
Chair Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings.
Carry out the school/college's statutory duties for Children in Care (CiC).
Monitor and report on progress, attendance, and mental health.
Work with the young person directly to teach, improve learning, or take them to school.
Ensure learning and support is high quality and aspirational.
Inspect schools/colleges or shape a school's curriculum.
Give advice, support, and training to schools/staff with an aim to close the learning gaps for our young people.
Tell schools what to do.
Monitor interventions.
Carry out interventions.
Hold to account Pupil Premium Plus Spend which facilitates opportunities for re-learning, deeper learning, supported learning, and independent learning.
Advocate Pupil Premium Plus being spent on uniform, food, school trips, transport, or clubs outside of school.
Listen to the child/young person to help advocate for them.
Ignore professionals who are working with the young person.
Give advice, support and training to schools/staff with an aim to improve learning behaviours.
Change school policies on behaviour or climate for learning.
Support schools in finding alternative solutions to exclusions.
Undermine Headteacher decisions.
Advise social workers, carers, and parents on schools in the placement area and/or signpost to the local offer.
Complete applications for school places/admission or take the young person for a school visit. We have nothing to do with school transport!
Advocate for the young person to make sure the very best educational experiences and outcomes can be achieved for them by working with other proffesionals and carers.
Take on the role of other professionals.