Download the annual report:

• Annual Report 2023 to 2024 (PDF)
• Annual Report 2022 to 2023 (PDF)

Educational establishments looking for support with meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks: 

• Skills4Worcestershire

The Careers & Enterprise Company and Worcestershire Virtual School have produced a Careers Explainer for Designated Teachers which explains: 

• careers education landscape
• what does a DT need to know
• focused support programmes
• local careers programmes and initiatives
• other useful links and support.

Download:

• Designated Teacher E-Booklet | CEC Resource Directory

Here is the link to the:

• National Overview of the Careers and Enterprise Company and Local Guidance on Delivery session (YouTube)

Download guidance for social workers:

• Attendance leaflet (PDF)
• School Admissions for children with an EHCP (a Social Worker Guide) (PDF)
• School Admissions for children without an EHCP (A Social Worker Guide) (PDF)

For information on promoting and supporting Inclusion and Inclusive practice in Worcestershire’s educational settings:

• Inclusion in Educational Settings

The Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Looked After (CLA) policy by Worcestershire Virtual School outlines schools key responsibilities and duties to promote the educational achievement of Looked after Children.

This Policy applies to all CLA and PLAC and it must be read in conjunction with government guidance documents.

See the policy here: Worcestershire Virtual School Policy (PDF)

Two new documents published by the Department for Education (DfE) are extremely relevant to PLAC. Both of these have the potential to influence how schools work with PLAC and their families.

Website: The Designated Teacher for looked-after and previously looked after children statutory guidance (February 2018) (GOV.UK)

Key points to consider:

• the guidance is statutory therefore schools must comply
• the guidance recognises that PLAC are likely to have barriers to their learning
• it requires that all schools have a member of staff who will promote PLAC
  • this person should be in a senior position with the ability to influence whole school decisions
  • they should also receive regular training ensuring other staff access training and are kept updated
• PLAC social, emotional and academic needs are a priority
• the importance of involving parents in decisions about their child’s education and ensuring good home-school links are built this includes involvement about how pupil premium plus is spent
• the importance of relationships between staff and pupils and the importance of enabling children to have voice is identified
• there is recognition that PLAC are more likely to have special educational needs and mental health needs
• direction is given for schools to put in the right support to avoid exclusion of a previously looked-after child becoming necessary
• introduces the new requirement for Virtual School Heads (VSH) to make information and advice available to parents and schools in relation to previously looked after children
• the guidance is clear about schools needing to ensure sufficient flexibility in their behaviour policy to meet the needs of PLAC

Keeping children safe in education (GOV.UK) - This is the main safeguarding document that schools need to be familiar with, in terms of PLAC, the guidance states:

"A previously looked after child potentially remains vulnerable and all staff should have the skills, knowledge and understanding to keep previously looked after children safe. When dealing with looked after children and previously looked after children, it is important that all agencies work together and prompt action is taken when necessary to safeguard these children, who are a particularly vulnerable group.” (Point 95).

View statutory guidance:

• Alternative Provision (GOV.UK)
• Careers guidance and access for education and training providers (GOV.UK)
• Children Missing Education (GOV.UK)
• Children who cannot attend school due to health needs (GOV.UK)
• DfE Guidance - Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools (GOV.UK)
• Promoting the education of Looked After Children and Previously Looked After (GOV.UK)
• Promoting the education of children with a social worker and children in kinship care arrangements: virtual school head role extension - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• School suspensions and permanent exclusions (GOV.UK)
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (GOV.UK)
• The Children and Social Work Act 2017 (GOV.UK)
• The Designated Teacher for looked after and previously looked after children (GOV.UK)
• Working together to improve school attendance (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Working together to safeguard children (GOV.UK)
• Keeping children safe in education (GOV.UK)

This is a useful guide to help and support your child when they transition to a new school or year group:

• Transition Guidance for Children Looked After and Previously Looked After Children (PDF)

Audit tool for evaluating the effectiveness of a school or settings provision for children or young people supported by Worcestershire Virtual School:

• CLA/CSW Quality Assurance Audit

Training and supportive programmes for businesses, individuals and educational establishments:

• Workpays