Lambeth Virtual School (CLA) policy statement

Lambeth Virtual School (LVS)

Context

Lambeth’s children looked after (CLA), regardless of their location, deserve the best start in life and it is through education that their dreams and aspirations can be realised.  CLA are a vulnerable group in our society and Lambeth Council is committed to ensuring that they have access to excellent education provision.

The Lambeth Virtual School team plays a strategic role in improving standards of educational achievement for this group of children and young people, in Lambeth and other authorities across the country by engaging with key personnel on a broad spectrum of issues.

Vision

To ensure that all Lambeth children looked after have an equitable access to excellent educational provision and achieve at a similar level to all other children and young people.

Mission Statement

The LVS is the Children and Young People’s Service team that will work in partnership with other professionals, foster parents and young people to improve education provision and raise standards of achievement for all CLA.  LVS's main objectives will be:

• to improve information sharing about CLA and promote tracking and monitoring systems to meet the educational needs of CLA.
• to continue to provide training to key groups that will raise awareness of statutory guidance, provide clarity of roles and responsibilities for key professionals and share good practice already established in and outside the borough.
• working with designated teachers and Headteachers to ensure each child has an ambitious and challenging personal education plan.
• working with partner agencies to ensure continuity of schooling.
• provide additional, personalised support through one to one tuition to identified pupils that will enable them to fulfil their potential.
  

Outcomes

An increase in the number of Lambeth children looked after achieving 5 GCSE A* - C passes.

To improve the attendance and attainment of all Lambeth CLA

To achieve the above LVS will:

• develop relationships between key people to focus on the educational needs of the child;
• work with professionals to ensure that all Lambeth CLA have a high quality personal education plan (PEP) that has SMART educational targets and is closely linked to his/her individual care plan and any other plan (i.e. IEP, Statement of educational need)
• encourage all key people to plan and combine any reviews or updates for CLA (PEP, Statement, IEP).  
• track and monitor the educational provision and achievement of Lambeth CLA. Use the information to identify and address educational needs.
• ensure the education of CLA is given high priority in relevant key council strategies and plans. That CLA achievement is celebrated and that the views of CLA are considered when providing education.
• plan and offer an appropriate training programme for key professionals and carers in issues key to raising the achievement of CLA.  
• Raise awareness with key agencies of any other educational support that can be accessed for CLA (e.g. over 16, under 5s).