The Virtual School works in partnership with you to improve educational outcomes for children who have experienced care, adversity or disruption. This page sets out what that means in practice for schools.
Who This Applies To
Schools play a key role in supporting:
- Cared for Children (CfC)
- Previously Cared for Children (PCfC)
- Children with a social worker (CSW)
- Children in kinship care (SGO/CAO/Adoption)
Each group may face barriers linked to trauma, loss, instability or safeguarding vulnerability. Your role is central to helping them feel safe, included and able to learn.
Your Core Responsibilities
For Cared for Children (Statutory Duties)
Designated Teachers must:
- Promote high expectations and raise attainment
- Ensure a high-quality Personal Education Plan (PEP) is in place and regularly reviewed
- Monitor attendance, progress and exclusions
- Use Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) effectively to meet identified needs
- Act as the key link between school, carers, social workers and the Virtual School
For Previously Cared for Children
Schools should:
- Ensure a Designated Teacher supports PCfC
- Work with parents/carers and the Virtual School where advice is needed
- Use PP+ (where allocated) to address barriers to learning
- Apply attachment-aware and trauma-responsive approaches
For Children with a Social Worker
Schools should:
- Prioritise inclusion, attendance and stability
- Recognise increased vulnerability to exclusion and disengagement
- Work closely with DSLs and safeguarding teams
- Use professional curiosity and flexibility to support engagement
- Seek advice from the Virtual School where appropriate
For Children in Kinship Care
Schools should:
- Be aware of the child’s legal status (SGO/CAO/Adoption where applicable)
- Provide inclusive, relational support
- Work with carers as key partners
- Access Virtual School advice where needed
What Good Practice Looks Like Day-to-Day
In inclusive schools, you will see:
- Strong relationships – children feel known, valued and understood
- Predictable routines – consistent starts to the day and clear expectations
- Flexible responses – understanding behaviour as communication
- High expectations with support – ambition matched with scaffolded learning
- Reduced exclusions – commitment to keeping children in school
- Joined-up working – regular communication across professionals
Top 5 Things You Can Do Tomorrow
- Check your list – ensure you know which pupils fall into each group
- Strengthen relationships – identify a trusted adult for each child
- Review support – is provision matched to need (academic + emotional)?
- Focus on attendance – early support for any dips or patterns
- Plan proactively – anticipate transitions or pressure points
Working with the Virtual School
We are here to support you through:
- advice and consultation
- PEP quality assurance
- guidance on PP+ spending
- training on trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
- support to reduce exclusions and improve attendance
Our role is both strategic and supportive - we work alongside you to strengthen practice, remove barriers and improve outcomes.
A Shared Commitment
Together, we want every child to:
- feel a sense of belonging in school
- experience stability and understanding
- achieve their full potential
Inclusion is built through everyday actions. Small, consistent changes in practice make a significant difference.