Virtual School Learning Mentors and Specialist Attendance Support

Our Virtual School team supports cared-for children and young people in our local authority, helping them thrive in their education and well-being.

We have trained learning mentors who provide personalised support, as well as Specialist Attendance Officers who work with schools and families to tackle attendance issues. We aim to create a positive environment for every child to succeed.

Virtual School Learning Mentors

The role of a learning mentor is to support our cared for children and young people throughout the local authority with their well-being in education.

The virtual school has four learning mentors, three school aged learning mentors and one post 16 mentor. Each has a dedicated caseload of children and young people that have been referred to them for support.

Our mentors are ELSA (emotional literacy support assistant) trained, meaning they are well equipped to offer support with social skills, emotions, anger management, self-esteem, friendships, and bereavement support to the young people they work with.

Mentor support

Our mentors link with the virtual school advisor, designated teachers, social care and sometimes other partners to best plan the support that is required for each young person. Our mentors offer support in various ways including:

school transition support
placement breakdowns or moves
developing social skills and friendships
help to manage anxiety confidence and self-esteem
study skills and homework help
emotional wellbeing and feelings
work and support with education
employment and training

The support sessions can be done at their school or educational setting, or they can take place at their home or an agreed public setting.

Contact a Learning Mentor

Jodie.cooper@cheshireeast.gov.uk

hannah.lewis@cheshireeast.gov.uk

jenni.goodall@cheshireeast.gov.uk

christine.aboagye@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Specialist attendance officers

The role of the Specialist attendance officer is to work closely with key staff in schools to identify and resolve attendance problems.

Working in con-junction with other Virtual School colleagues we meet with parents/carers and pupils at school or home whilst jointly working alongside social care to ensure updates are given.

Supporting Year 11 and Year 6 transition during the summer break
Attended meetings in relation to attendance issues
Be involved in alternative education plans and development of bespoke packages alongside schools where this is deemed it is needed
Meet 4 weekly with advisors to discuss their caseload
Attend fortnightly Alternative provision below 50%
Collate attendance for our post 16 young people making contact either with their PA/Social worker and updating the Virtual School advisor of any concern in attendance
Support with the Venture for Confidence Group (Post 16 programme) when required
Produce weekly/monthly/yearly attendance data
Facilitate attendance multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDT) for identified children whose attendance is below 75% to include school, Parent / Foster Carer /social worker and any other person who is a supporting factor for the child

DFE Guidance on working together to improve school