Designated Teachers in schools and education settings

For children previously in care (CPiC), Central Bedfordshire’s Virtual School will:

• respond to parental requests for advice and information and signpost parents/guardians to other services that can offer advice and support. We attend support groups to meet with parents and offer a drop-in service every Tuesday between 10am to 1pm to offer advice around any concerns with education they may have
• respond to requests for advice and information from providers of early education, designated teachers in maintained schools and academies, and providers of alternative provision in their area in respect of individual children supported by the local authority
• make general advice and information available to early years settings and schools to improve awareness of the vulnerability and needs of previously looked after children (this will include promoting good practice on identifying and meeting their needs, guidance on effective use of the Pupil Premium Plus and our training offer to all schools in Central Bedfordshire)

We do not monitor the educational progress of individual children or be held to account for their educational attainment. Any intervention in the education of a previously looked-after child must be with the agreement of the person(s) who have parental responsibility for the child. They, like all parents/guardians, are responsible for overseeing their child’s progress in education but we are happy to provide advice and guidance that can support them.