Children previously in care

Our offer

As a virtual school we offer training in supporting children previously in care for schools - including staff and governors and any queries regarding support can be directed to our mailbox [email protected].

Our tiered offer of support available to families, settings, schools and professionals supporting previously in care children and young people is:

Universal

• We offer signposting, information and the ability to speak to an adviser every Friday morning during term time. Please call 01603 303323 between
• We are contactable for information about the Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) and guidance about claiming and use.

• We offer professional development through our course Sensory Inclusion: Using movement breaks to support learners and for Designated Teachers, information about your duties to support Previously in Care pupils are included in the Designated Teacher Role and Responsibilities training offered by the Virtual School. Please see our Virtual School PD offer for dates.
• Participation events for children previously in care and young people.
• Guide and support to schools in becoming trauma and attachment aware.

Targeted

• Advice and signposting for individual children or young people with the parents' or guardians' consent regarding educational matters. Our mailbox is triaged every Wednesday during term time where an adviser will be allocated to respond.
• We offer school/setting visits to support senior leadership and designated teachers to understand the full breadth of the Virtual School offer of support and training. We offer advice in supporting the educational outcomes of the Virtual School cohorts.

Bespoke

• We offer support setting up our Voluntary Personal Education Plans (VPEPs) for previously in care pupils and provide training and resources to ensure quality and support schools and settings in implementing. The team operates using a referral form completed by home and school/setting. This must be completed and returned to our mailbox [email protected]. Our mailbox is triaged every Wednesday during term time where an adviser will be allocated to support.
• Where appropriate, we support access for schools to engage in training for supporting interventions in schools that will benefit previously in care pupils.

We work closely with our partners across Children's Services and will always work to ensure that the child or young person is being supported by the team best placed to advise.

Referring to the Virtual School

If you have a query regarding a specific child or young person please gain their parents' or guardians' permission and the email [email protected] to discuss how we can help.