Support for children previously in care

The Virtual School's remit includes the support of children and young people who have previously been in care, who now live with families through adoption, Special Guardianship Orders or Child Arrangement Orders.

Our vision is that parents and guardians of children previously in care are empowered to champion their children within education.

Outcomes we strive for:

• To be the primary point of contact for schools, social care and families to support, advise and signpost.
• Work in partnership with schools, partners within Children's Services and families to raise aspirations, support and awareness of children previously in care.
• Norfolk Virtual School's tiered offer of support clearly identifies how settings, parents and guardians can engage with us and be confident in supporting their children in education.
• Information available is current and effective.

Contact us

The Norfolk Virtual School for Children in Care, Previously in Care and Children with a Social Worker has dedicated advisers to offer information, advice and guidance.

Please contact email Virtual.SchoolsPiC@norfolk.gov.uk for help with your query.

Who is a 'child Previously in Care'?

The term 'child previously in care' applies to those children who had the status of being 'in care' of a local authority in England and Wales but who have now left care through:

• An Adoption Order
• A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) (also see section below)
• A Child Arrangements Order (CAO)
• Being adopted from 'state care' outside England and Wales

Please note CAOs were formerly known as Residence Orders. The orders must still be current.

Please note that within the Pupil Premium Grant this cohort is referred to as previously looked-after children (PLAC). Please see our information on Pupil Premium Plus for further information.

Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs)

To be considered previously in care, a child must have been in the care of a local authority immediately before the SGO was granted. If not, they do not meet the Department for Education (DfE) definition of being previously in care.

Private Fostering

A private fostering arrangement is a different arrangement to children who have left care through adoption, special guardianship order or child arrangements order. A private foster carer is someone other than a parent or a close relative who cares for a child for a period of 28 days or more, in agreement with the child's parent. It applies only to children under 16 years, or under 18 if they are disabled. Close relatives - a grandparent, a brother or sister, an aunt or an uncle, a step parent - are not private foster carers. See guidance for schools and settings on Private Fostering Arrangements.