Promoting the education of children with a social worker

An extension to the role of the Virtual School which started in September 2021 

The Virtual School’s duties have expanded to include strategic leadership for the promotion of educational outcomes for children with a social worker and those who previously had a social worker.  This role takes the form of providing advice and information to social workers and schools, as well as working to enhance partnerships across the local authority to support the narrowing of the gap in outcomes. 

It's well evidenced that this group of children face significant barriers to success in education because of their experiences, so it's vitally important that the Virtual School works with partners to promote high aspirations.  

We will help to  

• Make visible the disadvantages that children with a social worker can experience, enhancing partnerships between education settings and local authorities to help all agencies hold high aspirations for these children. 

• Promote practice that supports children’s engagement in education, recognising that attending an education setting can be an important factor in helping to keep children safe from harm. 

• Level up children’s outcomes and narrow the attainment gap so every child can reach their potential. 

• Provide training for schools promoting a Relational Schools Approach and offer Restorative Conferencing for children at risk of exclusion 

You can find out more from the following documents 

Promoting the education of children with a social worker (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Review of children in need - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

What Works in Education for Children who have had Social Workers - What Works for Children's Social Care (whatworks-csc.org.uk)