
The Virtual School
Worcestershire Virtual School is a service to support the education of care experienced children. It is not a teaching institution and does not replace the school or setting which pupils attend.
Worcestershire Virtual School works with partners and stakeholders to ensure that the Local Authority’s statutory duty is fulfilled to promote the education of children and young people in care, previously in care and with a social worker in order that they have the highest aspirations and the best possible educational experience and outcomes. The team support Children Looked After/ Previously Looked After aged 2 years to 18 years and children subject to a Child In Need Plan/ Child Protection Plan aged 0 to 18, across all education settings.
Virtual School services
Virtual school training and bespoke packages for schools
We offer a wide range of training, support, and information sharing events which focus on the specific needs of Looked After Children.
Virtual School news and events
A variety of different activities and events available to those within the Virtual School.
Social, emotional and mental health
Virtual School recognise the importance of social, emotional and mental health need.
Early years
Worcestershire Virtual School support pupils in the early years foundation stage, from the age of two.
Post 16 support
In the Worcestershire Virtual School team there are two learning advocates supporting young people who are Post 16 children looked after.
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)
As an authority, we recognise the need to support our UASC living in and outside of Worcestershire.
The extended role of the Virtual School
From September 2021, the Virtual School Head’s role has been extended to include the strategic leadership of promoting the education outcomes of all children and young people with a social worker.
Virtual School safeguarding
Safeguarding principles within the Virtual School.
Useful links to guidance and resources
Collection of useful links to guidance and resources.
Support for children previously looked after
Support for children previously looked after, those in kinship care and their carers'.
Previously looked after children
A previously looked after child potentially remains vulnerable and all staff should have the skills, knowledge and understanding to keep previously looked after children safe.
Support for foster carers
Looking after a fostered child is a complex and challenging role, here you will find some useful resources to help you.
Kinship care
From September 2024 Worcestershire Virtual school will provide advice and information to all kinship carers with special guardianship and child arrangements orders as part of their non-statutory role.