Virtual School and Equalities Learning Team - Looked After Children

Improving educational outcomes

Looked After Children are a key group within the Virtual School. We aim to ensure that all children looked after gain swift access to appropriate educational provision, are well supported to make good progress and participate in activities and gain the skills and qualifications needed to make a successful transition to adult life. We support children from the Early Years to Higher Education.

We have very strong links with designated teachers in schools across Cumbria and also work with carers, social workers and other relevant partners to ensure that all children looked after access education and receive the additional support they need to achieve well in school.

Our current priorities are to:

• Narrow the achievement gap between children looked after and their peers.
• Ensure all looked after children make good progress from their starting points.
• Ensure every child/young person who is looked after has a high quality Personal Educational Plan which sets out the actions and support to be provided.
• Provide advice to schools on effective use of the Pupil Premium for looked after children.
• Improve the attendance of any looked after child where this is a problem.
• Deliver training to schools, designated teachers, carers, Children’s Services personnel and other partner agencies. 

Virtual School Team members with responsibility for Looked After Children

Virtual School Manager

The Virtual Head Manager provides strategic leadership for the Virtual School, acts as a champion for looked after children, monitors their progress as if they attended single school and ensures appropriate provision is in place.

Looked After Children Inclusion Officers

The Inclusion Officers work to improve the attendance and reduce exclusions of looked after children where this is an issue and to support key transitions.

Looked After Children Achievement Teachers

The Achievement Teachers track and monitor the progress of individual children through a bi-annual visit. The meeting is used to track progress, proactively support planning and intervention and provide advice re the learning needs of individual children.

In addition, either the Inclusion Officer or the Achievement Teacher may provide short term and task centred intervention with individual looked after children.

Training

Regular training is provided via bi-annual PEP training and DT Forum meetings in each district as well as bespoke training packages for individual schools.

Looked After Children - Contact us