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Cheshire East Virtual School

Cared for Children (sometimes called Looked after Children) are the children that are subject to Care Orders and those who are voluntarily accommodated who live with foster carers, in residential homes or remain with their family. In these cases the Local Authority acts as their corporate parent, responsible for their care and support. The Virtual School takes the lead in ensuring that all of our Cared for Pupils have the best educational opportunities possible and that there is consistency of approach across the Cheshire East borough.

What the Virtual School does

As the outcomes for Cared for Children, both locally and nationally, are far worse than those of their peers (e.g. 17% gain good passes in maths and English compared to 64% of all pupils), there is a real need for clear lines of accountability and someone to champion these vulnerable pupils and their needs. The Virtual School enables the monitoring and overview of all of our Cared for Children and their progress. It also enables us to support and challenge schools and other agencies in their work with these children and young people.

Corporate parenting

‘Corporate parenting’ emphasises the collective responsibility of Local Authorities to achieve good parenting for children and young people in their care. In broad terms, a corporate parent should do at least what a good parent would do. Once a Local Authority has taken the profound and difficult decision to remove a child, short-term or long-term, from his or her family, it is the duty of the whole Local Authority to ‘safeguard and promote his welfare’ (1989 Children Act). The ‘whole authority’ includes the education department as well as social services, and school also have a key role to play. The responsibility of the corporate parent continues at least until the age of 21 and up to the age of 24 if the young person is still being supported in higher education or training.

One minute guides

• One minute guide - When a cared for child with an EHCP needs a change of school (PDF, 121KB)
• One minute guide - When a cared for child without an EHCP needs a change of school (PDF, 280KB)
• One minute guide - Virtual School - PEP and Pupil Premium Plus (PDF, 193KB)
• One minute guide - Virtual School for Cared for Children (PDF, 135KB)
• One minute guide - Virtual School -  Guide for Social Workers (PDF, 250KB)

Useful documents

• Promoting the educational achievement of looked after children - Local Authority Statutory Guidance (PDF, 282KB)
• Revised statutory guidance for virtual school heads and designated teachers - government consultation (PDF, 254KB)
• The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children - Statutory guidance on their roles and responsibilities (PDF, 393KB)
• School Places in Cheshire East Borough for children looked after by other Local Authorities (PDF, 164KB)
• Supporting previously looked after children in school who are living Cheshire East (PDF, 25KB)

Useful information

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has launched a new out of hours advice line for people living in the Cheshire and Wirral area. The advice line is open to everyone (children, young people, relatives, teachers, other professionals) and allows people to talk to a mental health professional if they are concerned or would like advice about a child or young person’s mental health.

The advice line runs from 5pm to 10pm (Monday - Friday) and 12 noon to 8pm (Saturday and Sunday).

You can ring the advice line on 01244 397644.

• Out of hours advice line poster