Under statutory guidance from Promoting the Education of Looked After Children (DfE, 2014), the Virtual School Head (VSH) is the lead responsible officer for making sure there are effective arrangements in place to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of children in care.

The VSH is responsible for:

• Ensuring that all looked after children have an up-to-date and high-quality Personal Education Plan (PEP)

• Making sure that education is treated as a priority by everyone involved in promoting the welfare of looked after children

• Reporting regularly on educational progress and outcomes through the local authority’s corporate parenting structures

How We Support Schools

AfC Virtual School provides a range of support to help schools meet the needs of their looked-after learners:

• Training – on topics such as Pupil Premium Plus, effective use of ePEPs, and attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice

• Pupil Premium Plus – funding for evidence-based interventions to support progress and engagement in school

• Targeted interventions – including access to our Educational Psychologist, one-to-one tuition, transition support, and careers guidance

• Professional advice – we are available to offer phone or in-person support, attend professionals’ meetings, and help respond quickly when issues arise

We encourage school staff to contact us early if they have concerns. Prompt collaboration helps ensure educational stability and better outcomes for our students.