Since April 2014 every local authority in England has had to appoint at least one person to fulfil the local authority’s statutory duty to promote the educational achievement of it’s Children in Care, wherever they live or are educated. This person is called the Head of the Virtual School. Peterborough has a team of teachers and other educational professionals who support the Virtual School Head in fulfilling these responsibilities, by promoting high aspirations and raising achievement through challenge, support and targeted intervention.

Promoting the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our vision is that

All Children Known to Social Care will achieve educational outcomes enabling them to lead healthy, happy and fulfilled lives.

Our Partnership and Outcomes team work closely with all schools, settings and colleges, as well as with multi-academy trusts, to ensure that policy and practice creates a relational, ambitious and aspirational culture for all children known to social care. Their support includes:

Advisory work in line with the development priorities of the school - for example developing the ability of governors to hold senior leaders accountable or curriculum considerations
A robust training offer for a range of stakeholders including schools, social workers and carers
Oversight of the statutory PEP process
Oversight of attainment and progress

Advisory work is offered at no charge for all schools in Peterborough to promote educational outcomes for children known to social care across the city. The team also provide support for schools outside of Peterborough attended by our children in care.

Our Inclusion and Engagement team support individual children in care at points in their educational journey where they may be in need of some support. This support can be initiated in a variety of ways including:

Data analysis showing that there is a need - for example a dip in attendance
Referrals from schools or social workers
Key points of transition - for example following a change of the child's home

The Inclusion and Engagement team provides both support and challenge. The intention is to empower the team around the child and ensure that educational outcomes remain a priority.

This team also offer advice and guidance to families, schools and other professionals for children previously in care and those living in kinship arrangements.

Our EET Team work to promote education, employment and training opportunities for young people through to the age of 25. This includes:

Inclusion and Engagement support for young people in years 12 and 13 including those who are NEET (not in education, employment and training)
EET advice and guidance for Care Leavers and the professionals supporting them
Support for pathways into Higher Education
Support for pathways into employment including careers guidance, work experience opportunities and short courses