Hartlepool virtual school - Who we support

Children in our care (looked-after children)

The Virtual School supports the local authority’s duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in our care, including the specific duty of promoting their educational achievement, wherever they live or are educated.

We:

• support and challenge educational settings and those caring for our children to achieve the best possible educational outcomes for them
• help create and review high-quality Personal Education Plans (PEPs) for children in our care
• offer advice and guidance to anyone supporting children in care or previously looked-after children

Previously looked-after children

We provide advice and guidance to:

• the child or young person’s educational setting
• any person who has parental responsibility for the child
• other professionals involved in supporting the child’s education

Children with a social worker and children in kinship care

We follow government guidance to support children who have had a social worker in the past six years due to safeguarding or welfare concerns. This includes children aged 0 to 18 with a child protection plan or a child in need plan.

The Virtual School supports the local authority to hold high aspirations for these children and promotes practice that supports children's engagement in education so they can reach their academic potential.

For children in kinship care, we raise awareness of their needs and work with schools and professionals to improve their educational outcomes.

Useful Links:

• Statutory guidance: Promoting the education of looked-after children and previously looked-after children
• Non-statutory guidance: Promoting the education of children with a social worker and children in kinship care