Virtual School support for foster carers

Virtual School support for foster carers

Looking after a fostered child is a complex and challenging role, here you will find some useful resources to help you.

Looking after a fostered child is a complex and challenging role. Every child has his or her own particular set of needs and the task of a foster carer is to meet those needs and then help that child to aim high and to achieve his or her full potential. We hope that the information that you will find on this page will be helpful to you to best support your child in their education.

You will also find information on foster carer training which is being offered by Worcestershire Virtual School on various topics.

Transition guidance for children looked after and previously looked after children

A guide produced by Worcestershire Virtual School to help and support your child when they transition to a new school or year group (PDF)

Virtual School guidance during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Guidance for parents, carers and educational settings

The Virtual School will be continuing to support schools, carers and children in these difficult times and will remain available to offer advice and assistance when needed. 

Worcestershire Children First Educational Psychology Services have produced a short video to help support children and parents during home schooling: Educational Psychology Support for Parents Homeschooling (Stream website).

Talking to children about Ukraine and about war

In today's world, parents are faced with the challenge of explaining violence, terrorism and war to children. Although difficult, these conversations are extremely important. They give parents an opportunity to help their children feel more secure and understand the world in which they live. The following information can be helpful to parents when discussing these issues:

Child to parent abuse

The Virtual School want to make you aware of this organisation that was specifically founded to support parents, carers and guardians who are experiencing domestic abuse at the hands of their own children. (Parental Educational Growth Support)

They offer direct support to parents and professionals.  Here is the link to the website 

Child to parent abuse | Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS) (pegsupport.co.uk)

Worcestershire Adult Learning Services (courses for parents and foster carers)

Worcestershire Adult Learning services are now running for parents to support their child with school, ones to enjoy with their child and supporting you with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Here are just a few of the courses they are running.

  • Maths in Early Years, Key Stages 1, 2 and 3
  • Phonics, Literacy and English for Early Years, Key Stages 1, 2 and 3
  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths for Key Stage 1 and 2
  • E-Safety
  • Art to support your wellbeing and self-awareness
  • managing their mindfulness, Strategies for Positive Behaviour and Communicating with Deaf or Hearing Impaired People

Book onto the Adult Learning courses and search category 'Family & Children's Learning'

Autism and anxiety

Autism West Midlands are running FREE on-line training for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Families and Carers.

The Solihull Approach online parenting courses

Solihull Approach online parenting courses are a series of NICE approved resources for parents and carers who want to learn more about sensitive and effective parenting and building a positive relationship with their child. Parents are also helped to understand how they can influence their relationship with their child through play.

Solihull Approach - FREE online parenting courses

Activities for children looked after

Artslink

Artslink is supported by all 14 West Midlands Virtual Schools, and aims to ensure that all care experienced children and young people in the region have the opportunity to get involved in arts and culture and develop as learners, as people and as artists. Our offer includes:

  • events run by clusters of Virtual Schools, such as Give It A Go days (trying new artforms and activities out) and professional artists supporting other Virtual School events such as award ceremonies
  • regional activities, such as Look Inside days (e.g. BBC, music studio) and massed performing groups, such as choirs, for showcase events

For further information on the work and activities which Artlink provide, please visit Artslink contact

Cricket activities for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties delivered by Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Super 1s is a programme funded by the Lord’s Taverners and aims to get more young people with disabilities aged 12-25 playing cricket and developing important life skills through the introduction of community hubs which is extremely exciting!

The sessions are completely free. There are currently three hubs up and running and new participants are welcomed.

You can find out more about the fantastic programme: Super1s (Worcestershire Cricket

Try it, dream it, achieve it

A new sports initiative is underway to create a universal entitlement to sports provision for all children in care in the West Midlands.

Activities will be offered in a range of ways by a variety of sports and active lifestyle organisations.

It will work on the three principles of TRY IT, DREAM IT, ACHIEVE IT,  offering a wide range of experiences and opportunities to enable our children to develop their interests and talents, enabling sports specialism, developing independence and entrepreneurship and potentially even leading to qualifications and careers.

Here are some sporting organisations which are encouraging young people to ‘try it, dream it, achieve it’ which can be done at home.

Courses at Work Pays

Workpays is a well respected training provider with multiple divisions, that supply training and supportive programmes to businesses, individuals and educational establishments. Workpays are perfectly placed to offer professional training and employability support across the whole of the Midlands.

Education resources

"Students learn best when they feel welcomed, comfortable and safe"

Here you will find a friendly guide to give you ideas of daily tasks to help improve well-being at home or in school for your foster child.

50 daily task to improve wellbeing from The Parents Guide To

See Adult Learning Courses where you will find details of courses including English for KS2 and 3, and Phonics in Early Years to help you support your child with their learning which are being run by the Adult Learning Team within Worcestershire County Council.

Supporting your child for school year transition

Here you will find some very useful websites to help you support your child in an effective transition from Year 6 to Year 7:

Kinship Carers UK

Kinship Carers UK is a national not for profit charity. It champions the vital role of Kinship Carers, 'Connected Families' when they take on the challenging role of permanently parenting someone else’s child. Kinship Carers UK help kinship families succeed, we promote loving and supportive relationships between children, young people and their kinship families. We provide independent support (through LOCAL support groups), information and advice. In particular, we offer a wealth of relevant experience from kinship families to prospective kinship carers and to all those who work with them.

Guidance material

Islington Library Service have recorded lots of story-time videos for children from Nursery to Year 6.

Islington Education Library Service BOOK VIDEOS on YouTube

Other resources

Other resources

Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and families  believe that by working in collaboration with communities and professionals, that together we can scale up our mental health support for millions of infants, children and young people and their families, and deliver timely evidence-based support for all. The website offer extensive support for all.

Anna Freud

Anna Freud Centre Crisis Messenger

The AFC Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. The AFC can help with issues such as anxiety, worry, panic attacks, bullying and depression and are here to talk at any time of day or night. 
If you need support, you can text AFC to 85258

West Midlands Virtual Schools Children in Care Foundation YouTube Channel

The WMVS CiC Foundation have commissioned Jaz Ampaw Farr to develop a series of motivating YouTube clips for our children and young people in the region. The first 5 videos have just been posted up on YouTube, followed by one per week. They are empowering and help unlock our young people's potential so their story is a successful one.

West Midlands Virtual Schools Children in Care Foundation YouTube Channel

Reports

The Virtual School have published a child friendly version of the Annual Report which you may find interesting for yourself and to your child to explain what the Virtual School is and how it supports them

2020 to 2021 Virtual School Annual Report Primary School (PDF)

2020 to 2021 Virtual School Annual Report Secondary School (PDF)

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