Around 55% of cared for children and young people in Westmorland and Furness have some form of special educational need and/or disability (SEND). This figure is less than the national average, which is around 70%. Many children with SEND will have their needs met in a mainstream school or setting. Some children and young people will need a higher level of support and may need an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment.
All cared for children and young people are overseen by the Local Authority’s (LA's) Virtual School.
Virtual Schools
A Virtual School isn't an actual building or school/setting that children and young people attend. It is a virtual school in the LA that oversees cared for children and young people and their progress. The children and young people attend many different schools and settings.
Our Virtual School team is made up of Teachers and professionals from the LA's Inclusion Team.
We work closely with:
- the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) department in schools and settings
- the Designated Teacher in schools and settings
- social workers
- the LA's SEND Department and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Coordinators for children and young people with an EHCP or are going through the Early Help Process
What our Virtual School does
Our Virtual School supports children and young people who have:
- had many different school or settings
- missed a large amount of school
- experienced stressful/traumatic events in their early childhood – also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
The Virtual School provides support and oversight.
How the Virtual School supports children and young people with an EHCP
Our Virtual School has duties and responsibilities with cared for children with an EHCP.
They must:
- follow the SEND Code of Practice
- make sure schools and settings are fulfilling their statutory duties
- make sure the child/young person’s EHCP coordinates with the child/young person’s care plan
- give advice/support to parents and carers – this will help them engage in meetings with the SENCo and other professionals in the school
- ensure everyone is working in partnership
How we ensure cared for children are supported
A large number of children and young people may not have had a diagnosis when they become cared for. Everyone will work together to ensure any undiagnosed SEND is addressed. Any relevant assessments and referrals will be done as soon as possible.
These will involve:
- our Virtual School
- social workers
- the child/young person's school
- the child/young person’s carers and the child/young person themselves
The LA should avoid any delays for cared for children and young people. Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments should be completed in the shortest possible timescale. Meeting the needs of a cared for child or young person with SEND, is a crucial part of avoiding the breakdown of their care placement.
Children and Social Work Act (2017)
This act widened the LA's duties to include children and young people who were previously cared for. These children and young people are called Care Experienced.
Our Virtual School must provide suitable advice and information to promote the educational achievement of Care Experienced children and young people.
Visit Westmorland and Furness Council's website to find more information about our Virtual School.