There are over 140 children in the care of Bath and North East Somerset - some two thirds are educated in Bath and North East Somerset schools and the rest in state schools outside the LA or in the independent sector. The virtual school supposes that they all attend one school – the virtual school. By collecting data on progress, attendance and behaviour we can monitor their performance and can work with schools to target support for those who are falling behind. We also track the progress of children in the care of other authorities who are educated in Bath and North East Somerset schools.
What can a virtual school do for Looked After Children and schools?
- Provide expert support to children, social workers and carers right from Early Years to FE on a whole range of issues, ranging from which school to attend to planning for 14-19 and HE.
- Support the creation and monitor the quality of Personal Education Plans (PEPs) to ensure they are strongly focussed on learning outcomes.
- Target resources such as the Learning Support Team where it is needed most.
- Ensure that school placements continue wherever possible, even when care placements change, and support transition when school placements do change.
- Provide support to designated teachers, social workers and carers through training and networking.
- Get involved quickly when things go wrong.
- Help speed up decision making where several agencies and teams are involved with a child.
- Procure extra resources, for example for boarding provision, gifted and talented pupils and Aim Higher projects.
- Listen and respond to the voice of our Looked After Children.
Our aim is to help schools and social workers develop and share expertise on the needs of Looked After Children so that good practice can be disseminated across the authority.