The Department for Education guidance ‘promoting the education of looked after and previously looked after children’ (March 2018) states:
"The role of the Virtual School Head for previously looked-after children is to promote their educational achievement through the provision of information and advice to their parents, educators and others who the Virtual School Head considers necessary."
Role of the Virtual School Head (VSH)
This means the head should:
- respond to parental requests for advice and information, for example advice on school admissions in their area
- respond to requests for advice and information from providers of early education, designated teachers in maintained schools and academies, and providers of alternative provision in their area about individual children supported by the local authority. The VSH should develop or build on existing good working relationships with designated teachers for previously looked-after children in their area
- make general advice and information available to early years settings and schools to improve awareness of the vulnerability and needs of previously looked-after children, including good practice on identifying and meeting their needs, and guidance on effective use of the pupil premium.
Guide for parents
Adoption UK have a guide called meeting the needs of adopted and permanently placed children.
Further Information