Previously looked after children

Previously looked-after children are those who:

• were in care immediately before being adopted, or left care under a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or Child Arrangements Order (CAO), or were in state care outside England and Wales prior to adoption.

These children can sometimes face additional challenges in education due to their early experiences. However, with the right support, they can thrive and achieve strong outcomes.

Our role

The Coventry Virtual School has a statutory duty to promote the educational achievement of previously looked-after children.

We do this by:

• providing advice, guidance and training to schools and education settings
• supporting parents and carers with education-related queries
• helping schools understand and respond to the impact of early trauma and attachment
• promoting effective use of Pupil Premium Plus funding
• supporting strong transitions between settings and key stages

How we can help

We work in partnership with schools, parents and carers to:

• identify and overcome barriers to learning
• support engagement, attendance and progress
• ensure the right support is in place at the right time
• promote high aspirations and positive outcomes

Working together

Supporting previously looked-after children works best when schools and families work closely together. Schools should have a Designated Teacher who leads on support for previously looked-after children. Parents and carers should feel confident to share information (where they choose to) so that schools can provide the right support

Our aim

We want all previously looked-after children to:

• feel safe, supported and understood
• develop a strong sense of belonging in education
• achieve their full potential and enjoy the same opportunities as their peers

Virtual School Direct Number: 024 7697 5535

E-mail: virtualschool@coventry.gov.uk

Web: Virtual School