Virtual School - Training
We provide training about the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children.
Courses are free. Bookings can be made online and close one week before the event.
Carers of children in care
Promoting the education of looked-after children
Target audience: Foster carers and children’s home staff who care for looked-after children.
Description: How foster carers can promote the educational attainment of their child and how residential staff can meet their statutory education standards.
Although both groups have slightly different standards to meet, there is a great deal of overlap and all topics covered represent good practice including:
- the learning environment
- educational resources
- school attendance
- achieving educational goals
- partnership working with school
- advocating for your child
- the PEP
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
Governor training
Target audience: Nominated governors for looked-after and previously looked-after children, interested governors and chairs.
Description: The importance of governors advocating for looked-after and previously looked-after children, as well as how to support and challenge the designated teacher.
The processes and policies associated with looked-after and previously looked-after children, including pupil premium plus.
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
New to the role of Designated Teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children
Target audience: Designated teachers, new to role, for looked-after and previously looked-after children.
Description: Requirements of the Designated Teacher to fulfil their role effectively for looked-after and previously looked-after children including:
- voice of the child
- pupil premium plus
- raising awareness and staff training
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- mental health
- partnership working
- admissions
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
- Thursday 19 September 2024, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
- Wednesday 15 January 2025, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
- Tuesday 6 May 2025, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Parents and guardians of previously looked after children
Promoting the education of previously looked-after children
Target audience: Parents and guardians of children from Reception to Year 11 who:
- were previously in state care
- adopted
- or under special guardianship/child arrangements orders
If your child is outside this age range, you are still welcome to attend.
Description: How parents or guardians can work with schools to support their child's education. It explores the duties of schools regarding previously looked-after children and advises on how parents or guardians can best advocate in their child’s interest. This includes:
- best practice recommendations given to schools
- the importance of building positive relationships with schools
- the Virtual School’s role
- the educational achievement of previously looked-after children
- how Pupil Premium works for previously looked-after children
- information sharing
- school admission arrangements
- special educational needs
- choosing a good school
- managing challenging behaviour in schools
A copy of the session slides will be sent to you once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
PEP quality training
Target audience: School staff and Social workers with access to West and North Northamptonshire PEPs.
Description: Covering the expectations for high quality PEP, examples of good and poor quality practice will be shared.
The expectations for a high-quality PEP, details about each section and examples of good and poor-quality practice.
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
Refresher Designated Teacher training
Target audience: Experienced designated teachers for looked-after and previously looked-after children from reception to Year 11. We recommend this refresher once every 3 years.
Description: The requirements of the designated teacher to fulfil their role effectively for looked-after and previously looked-after children including:
- voice of the child
- pupil premium plus
- raising awareness and staff training
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- mental health
- partnership working
- admissions
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.
Dates
Social care and Virtual School partnership working
Target audience: Social workers of children in care within Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
Description: How Social workers can effectively promote the education of looked-after children by collaborating with the Virtual School in several key areas including:
- think parent
- school moves and applications
- special Educational Needs and EHC plans
- good communication with school
- non-mainstream schools
- the PEP
Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned. complete, and you will receive both a certificate and a copy of the slides used during the session.
Dates
Last updated 03 April 2025