Social Care - Virtual School

What is the Virtual School /Virtual School Head?

A Virtual School is a service that local authorities provide to support children and young people who are in care (looked-after children) or have special educational needs. It isn’t usually a “school” you attend in a building—it’s more of a team that works with a child’s existing school to make sure they get the education and support they need.

Here’s what a Virtual School typically does:

• Tracks progress: They monitor how well a child is doing in school and highlight if extra support is needed.
• Advocates for the child: They make sure the child has access to things like tutoring, special programs, or equipment.
• Supports transitions: They help when a child moves schools so learning isn’t disrupted.
• Advises teachers and carers: They guide school staff, foster carers, and parents on how to best support the child’s learning.

Think of it as a team that looks after the child’s education “virtually,” even if they’re not at one specific school, ensuring that no child falls behind.

If you want, I can also explain how a Virtual School is different from an online school, because the name can be confusing. Do you want me to do that?