We are an essential advocate for the importance of education and aim to raise self-esteem, expectations and aspirations and remove barriers to learning. We support schools to promote understanding of the issues faced by looked-after children and previously looked-after children and we have produced a “School LAC Policy template” for schools to base their own LAC policy.
School LAC policy template Opens new window
Occasionally we have unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) who require a school or college place, so to help you deliver the best support possible to these children we have produced a booklet with some useful information and strategies.
Supporting Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children at School Opens new window
By working with schools and colleges, we ensure that children in care have good quality Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings. The PEP sets out plans for a child’s education and helps carers, teachers and social workers to understand and plan what we can do to offer extra support if and when needed.
Under the Children and Young Persons Act 2008, schools are required to appoint a Designated Teacher, to support the learning of children in care and manage the process of how the school works with the Virtual School and social workers to promote the child’s education.
The Virtual School provides regular updates and thorough training to Designated Teachers to ensure they are best equipped to enable our children and young people to improve their educational outcomes and life chances.
Ensure children in care have a place in an Early Years setting and have a successful transition to school.
Make sure children in care have a school place and access to education at the most appropriate school for their needs
Encourage hobbies and attending fun and educational out of school activities
Keep changes of school to a minimum, especially during Year 6 and Year 11
Ensure regular PEP (Personal Education Plan) meetings (three times a year) and make sure the Pupil Premium Plus is used effectively
Make sure children in care are given the right sort of advice on careers or further education and encourage and support Post-16 learning
Support carers and social workers to take an active role in a child’s education
Statutory guidance for local authorities to support looked after and previously looked after children's aspirations to achieve in further and higher education can be found here.
0116 305 6097 Monday – Thursday, 8:30am – 5pm, Friday – 8:30am – 4:30pm
virtualschool@leics.gov.uk (We aim to respond to emails within 3 working days)