Statutory guidance expects that Local Authorities have a Virtual School to represent the needs of their Children in Care (CiC).  The Virtual School for the City is here to support schools in raising the achievement and attainment of CiC and to act as advocate for them where necessary.

The Virtual School has several responsibilities:

• providing guidance, training and CPD (including network meetings) to Headteachers, Deputy Head Teachers, Governors and Designated Teachers on the needs of CiC
• assisting social care colleagues in considering educational placement alongside any new care placement
• supporting schools to prevent the exclusion of CiC and to develop inclusive policies
• encouraging positive links between Designated Teachers, Social Workers and carers
• recognising CiC achievements
• working with Designated Teachers and Social Workers to ensure Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are completed and up to date

There are 4 types of Children in Care that the school supports:

• Nottingham City CiC who are educated in the City
• Nottingham City CiC who are educated out of the City
• Other Local Authority CiC who are educated in the City
• Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers

The school will fulfil its responsibilities by:

• providing termly network meetings for designated teachers
• attending PEP meetings to support new designated teachers
• working closely with social care teams and other Local Authority departments to establish protocols
• running a network of further education providers to raise educational outcomes for CiC post 16
• signposting suitable alternative education provision for CiC who require it

The Virtual School is part of the Achievement of Vulnerable Groups Team within the Inclusive Learning Service. Those staff with particular responsibility for CiC are:

• Lorna Beedham - Virtual Headteacher/Adviser for the Achievement of Vulnerable Groups (0115 8764677 : internal 64677)
• Kelley Connolly - Achievement Consultant (0115 8764684 : internal 64684)
• Barbara MacCarthy - Achievement Consultant (0115 8764682 : internal 64682)
• Paula Harrison - Virtual School Administrator (0115 8764692 : internal 64692)

Staff can also be contacted by email through thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The identified priorities for 2012/13 are:

• monitor PEP completion rate and improve their quality 
• raise the educational outcomes for CiC especially in Year 6 and Year 11
• establish high quality provision to support children awaiting school places
• raise the engagement of Years 9 - 11 CiC in quality education
• to give CiC an influential voice in the work of the Virtual School
• increase the participation of CiC in Nottingham City Council and other Local Authority activities, education and projects to raise their aspirations
• offer effective support and advice to Nottingham City Council services and foster carers
• to improve data availability and interrogation
• to extend and improve the support for CiC educated externally to Nottingham City and their schools 
• to ensure best practice for CiC with special educational needs.

For the Virtual School to fulfil its duties it would help us greatly if Designated Teachers would:

• ensure PEP meetings are held before a PEP becomes out of date (usually 6 months) and with the social worker ensure that a copy of the completed PEP is sent to the Virtual School Administrator peps@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
• work with Social Workers and foster carers to identify CiC who would benefit from a PEA
• inform their Achievement Consultant if a CiC is vulnerable to exclusion
• inform the Virtual School Administrator of any new CiC admissions to or leavers from their school

Networking opportunities for those responsible for CiC in schools/colleges:

• Further Education network meeting - 14 May 2013, 2.00 pm at Bilborough College, Nottingham
• Designated Teacher network meeting - 19 June 2013, at the Jury's Inn, Nottingham

Those involved with CiC from outside of the Nottingham City boundary are most welcome to come along.  Contact The Virtual School for more information on forthcoming network meetings and to reserve your place.  

As corporate parent, we all share responsibility for the outcomes for these most vulnerable young people.  Please contact the Virtual School staff if you have any concerns or issues regarding any CiC in your school or want any advice or support.

Contact the Virtual School

Contact: The Virtual School for Children in Care
Email:  thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Tel:  0115 8764692