In our final episode for season 2, Zoe Lattimer and Fran Haunch welcome Lauren Smith and Holly Parker to the show. Lauren and Holly are experienced social workers and give us a glimpse into the work of social care professionals who support our children and young people beyond the school gates.

They walk us through the social care journey, explore some of the issues which may have led to a child or family becoming known to them and provide guidance on some of the technical jargon and legal processes.

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

In today's episode, Gina Hayes and Amanda Jones from our Inclusion and Engagement team discuss the range of transitions which children may experience through their educational journeys - the big ones such as primary to secondary and also the smaller ones, such as moving from learning time to break time and back again. They explore what considerations teachers and teaching assistants may take into account to support children known and previously known to social care.

Supporting school transitions | Resources | YoungMinds

EEF blog: School Transitions – reflecting on culture,… | EEF

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

In this episode, Laura Hurrell and Emma Slade from Peterborough Virtual School consider how are the specific needs of children known to social care are considered within the curriculum: 

• How can the curriculum be trauma-proofed?
• How are particular curriculum ‘hotspots’ within History, RE, RSE, PSHE, Science, English and assemblies are considered? 
• How are positive role models of care-experienced adults are embedded within the curriculum?

Windows and mirrors: Why curriculum representation matters for children known to social care | BERA

Perceptions of Care

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

In this episode Zoe Lattimer and Gina Hayes are joined by Tamar Rafferty (Peterborough City Council's Education, Training and Employment Officer in the Youth Justice Service). Tamar shares her extensive knowledge and experience of the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children supported within the Youth Justice Service.

Education, training and employment – HM Inspectorate of Probation

A decade of declining quality of education in young offender institutions: the systemic shortcomings that fail children - GOV.UK

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

Nic Phillips, Lisa Hatfield and Elizabeth Hobday from Peterborough Virtual School are your hosts for this episode. They discuss what the specific barriers are which children who are currently or previously known to social care might face and acknowledge how these can lead to poor educational outcomes for this cohort of children and young people.

Promoting the education of children with a social worker and children in kinship care arrangements: virtual school head role extension - GOV.UK

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

Welcome back to season 2 of our Virtual School podcast. This season is particularly relevant for our education colleagues including all teachers, teaching assistants and other staff working in our schools, early years settings and post-16 providers.

In this episode Zoe Lattimer and Nic Phillips introduce the scope of the Virtual School and what the work of Peterborough Virtual School looks like.

Virtual Schools: Education's Hidden Asset

Improving the Effectiveness of Virtual Schools

The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

SEND and Inclusion Services in Peterborough have a specific remit to help our children and young people to achieve their potential and overcome barriers their additional needs may present to them and their educational settings.

In this episode Alex West and Lisa Hatfield have a conversation with Gemma Mead, Peterborough's Area SENCo. Together they explore the complexities of the SEND system and how those supporting children known to social care can navigate it.

Peterborough SEND

SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years

SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

In the episode, Nic is delighted to be talking with Becca Jones from the charity Become which supports children in care and care leavers. Becca offers advice and support to young people wanting to progress into Further or Higher Education.

Home Page - Become

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

Adam Tams and Anna Noble are joined in this episode by Elle Johnson, Peterborough's Care Leaver Local Offer Led, to discuss why it is so important  that we work to encourage aspiration and ambition among young people. They explain the transformative power of high aspirations and the impact these can have in ensuring that young people successfully transition into education, employment or training. 

Care leavers considerably less likely on average to be in education, employment or training, analysis shows

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]

In this episode, Nic Phillips and Fran Haunch are joined by Ishmael Ngundu (Team Manager for  Leaving Care). Ishmael shares his extensive knowledge and experience of the specific needs and vulnerabilities of Unaccompanied Children in Care.

Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery: Statutory guidance for local authorities 

Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Support Service (IUSS)

Children's Commissioned: The Big Ambition for Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum - Reflections from my Ambassadors

For further information about the work of Peterborough Virtual School please visit our website Peterborough Virtual School

If you have concerns around the education of a child or young person known to social care, please contact the Virtual School [email protected]