Networking and Further Support

Peterborough Virtual School host networking opportunities each academic term for families.

Sessions focus on a particular educational theme, area of interest or identified need.

Further dates will be added to the website as and when confirmed. Visit training and networking page.

There are also other independent established groups in the Peterborough area:

• Peterborough Kinship Carers group meet every Wednesday between 10am-1pm (term time only). Peterborough Kinship Carers Group - Kinship Compass
• ‘Stay and Play’ sessions for adoptive families with pre-school children, is held once a month. There is no need to book a place at these groups. For more information, please contact SupportGroups@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
• ‘Tea, coffee and cake’ adoptive parents’ group is held once a month. There is no need to book a place at these groups. For more information, please contact SupportGroups@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
• New Ark Family group meet every 3rd Saturday of each month 10-12am at New Ark Adventure Play Area, Rear of Hill Close, Off Reeves Way, Peterborough, PE1 5LZ newarkplay.co.uk. 
• Adopters Together Support Line (Available Monday- Friday 11am-3pm on 01245 959594 or by emailing adopterstogether.support@adoptionuk.org.uk)

If you are aware of any other groups that parents and carers could benefit from, please let virtualschool@peterborough.gov.uk know. We will contact them and add their details to this website page, once permission is sought.

Join us for relaxed and informal Coffee, Cake & Chat sessions, bringing together residential staff, foster carers, kinship carers, special guardians and families supporting children known to the Virtual School. These sessions provide an opportunity to connect with other carers, share experiences, ask questions and discuss any education-related matters in a friendly and supportive environment. Members of the Virtual School team will be available to offer advice, information and guidance on a range of topics, from school attendance and attainment to transitions, PEPs and post-16 pathways.

Whether you have a specific question or simply want to meet others in similar circumstances over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, everyone is welcome.

All sessions will take place at Highlees Primary School, Ashton Road, Peterborough, PE1 7ER

Families and carers of children who are currently in care

Families and carers of children who have previously been in care

Kinship: Home | The Kinship care charity | England and Wales is a charity who support kinship carers, regardless of legal status. Kinship are able offer advice, support, information and events/workshops.

• Kinship offer an advice line on a Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2pm (0300 123 7015). You can register your interest, to receive updates and correspondence by visiting Join our Kinship Community - Kinship.
• They also offer an opportunity to speak to other kinship carers by registering at Speak to someone like you - Kinship. ‘Someone Like Me’ is a peer-to-peer telephone support service, where trained volunteers who are kinship carers will answer your call, listen to you and support you.