Section outline

  • The role of the Virtual School has been extended to include the strategic leadership of promoting the educational outcomes of children and young people who have, or have had, support from a Children's Services Practitioner within the previous six years (CWSW and CWSW Ever 6). This cohort includes young people who have been assessed as needing support from Children's Services due to safeguarding and/or welfare concerns, including those who have been subject to a child in need plan or child protection plan. For post-16 providers, this includes eligible learners up to the age of 18, and in some circumstances older learners where safeguarding vulnerabilities continue to be relevant. 

    Young people with a Children's Services Practitioner are significantly more likely to experience disrupted education, lower attainment, mental health difficulties, housing instability, family challenges, periods of crisis, poor attendance, exclusion from education, and barriers to progression into higher education, employment or training. Post-16 settings have a crucial role in providing stability, trusted relationships and high aspirations during this important transition stage. 

     

    Key aims 

    • make visible the disadvantages that young people with a Children's Services Practitioner can experience, enhancing partnerships between education providers, local authorities and other agencies to help maintain high aspirations for this cohort 

    • promote practice that supports learners' engagement in education, training and development, recognising that participation in education can be a protective factor and improve life chances 

    • reduce barriers to attendance, participation, retention and achievement 

    • improve progression outcomes, including access to further learning, apprenticeships, employment and higher education 

    • ensure that relationships, belonging, learner voice and effective transitions remain central to support arrangements