What is the Virtual School?

Aims

The Virtual School for Children in Care and Previously in Care Reference Group aims to be a champion for educational outcomes for Children in Care and Previously in Care and to support the LA with their duties to care leavers, and:

• Ensure best practice for Children in Care and Previously in Care becomes universal practice for all education and learning providers
• Ensure every individual young person in our care achieves their potential through learning, to reach and develop aspirations
• Challenge and support the team around the child and the professional network who are supporting Children in Care and Previously in Care to deliver an enhanced experience for these young people.
• Explore and understand the barriers to young people in the Care System in reaching their potential through learning, increasing the awareness and understanding of the needs, demands and impact of being a Child in Care
• Ensure that where needed, resources are appropriately allocated and targeted to the young people that require them
• To ensure that the 'voice of the child' is both heard and acted upon

Terms of Reference

1. To keep under review the progress and achievement of the Children in Care and Previously in Care, through analysing the 'data set' and wider contextual information and challenge where necessary
2. To monitor the quality and completion of PEPs ensuring all Children in Care achieve their potential when they have completed their education
3. Set expectations of best practice for Children in Care and Previously in Care and share and embed this at every opportunity
4. Identify, understand and monitor the reduction of barriers to Children in Care and Previously in Care achieving their potential within the education sector
5. Seek opportunities to create partnerships and enhanced partnership working to achieve joint best practice
6. Provide challenge and support for the Virtual School Head
7. Ensure that the work of the Virtual School aligns with other strategies
8. Provide advice and support to Norfolk County Council in its practices for supporting the education of Children in Care and Previously in Care
9. To ensure that the Reference Group informs The Corporate Parenting Board
10. To listen to the 'voice of the child' and monitor the impact of their views
11. To listen to the 'voice of the carer' and monitor the impact of their views
12. To share good practice across services particularly in respect of other vulnerable groups

Membership

• Head of Virtual School
• County Council Children's Services representative members
• Independent Statutory Service (IRO)
• Representatives from each of the Primary, Secondary and Post 16 sectors
• Representatives from the Special school sector
• Council officers in attendance
• Foster Care Representative
• Social care

In addition

Put forward a proposal and our Terms of Reference to the CP Board, recommending that the Virtual School Reference Group feeds into the Board.