The role of the foster carer is to actively promote the child’s education as valuable and a part of their preparation for adulthood, and support them to achieve their educational potential.
You need to:
- Make sure you know who the designated teacher is and keep in touch with them. They will be your first contact if there are any problems to sort out
- Agree with the child’s social worker what information the school will be told about the child’s status and how the child will refer to you to their teachers and classmates
- Make sure the child attends school every day – please note that most schools do not allow holidays to be taken in term time
- Tell the school if there is a change to travel arrangements e.g. if somebody else will be collecting them on a particular day
- Be aware of key dates such as term times and exams
- Attend events and meetings at school, including PEPs.
- Encourage the child to achieve well and to have high aspirations for example by attending university taster days
How the Virtual School can support you:
- Advise you on how to work with the school to support the child’s education
- Explain school systems and qualifications, which can be confusing
- Attend meetings regarding complex cases
- Support transitions to new schools if school placements change.
- Provide training for foster carers
- Get involved quickly if there are problems with a school placement