Virtual School - Training

We provide training about the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children.

Courses are free. Bookings can be made online and close one week before the event.

New for 2025/26: An introduction to attachment aware and trauma informed practice

Target audience: All staff in education settings.

Description: An introduction to trauma and attachment difficulties and the impacts that these can have on children. This training will also support staff to understand how these difficulties might present in an education setting and provide useful strategies for supporting children with trauma and attachment related needs.

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

Carers of children in care

Promoting the education of looked-after children

Target audience: Foster carers and children’s home staff who care for looked-after children.

Description: How foster carers can promote the educational attainment of their child and how residential staff can meet their statutory education standards.

Although both groups have slightly different standards to meet, there is a great deal of overlap and all topics covered represent good practice including:

the learning environment
educational resources
school attendance
achieving educational goals
partnership working with school
advocating for your child
the PEP

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

Governor training

Target audience: Nominated governors for looked-after and previously looked-after children, interested governors and chairs.

Description: The importance of governors advocating for looked-after and previously looked-after children, as well as how to support and challenge the designated teacher.

The processes and policies associated with looked-after and previously looked-after children, including pupil premium plus.

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

New to the role of designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children

Target audience: Designated teachers, new to role, for looked-after and previously looked-after children at statutory school age. If your education setting is for Early Years or Post-16, please contact [email protected] and an officer will contact you directly for support at this phase.

Description: Requirements of the Designated Teacher to fulfil their role effectively for looked-after and previously looked-after children including:

voice of the child
pupil premium plus
raising awareness and staff training
SEN
mental health
partnership working
admissions

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

Parents and guardians of previously looked after children

Promoting the education of previously looked-after children

Target audience: Parents and guardians of children from reception to Year 11 who were previously in state care and:

have been adopted, or
made subject to special guardianship or child arrangements order

If your child is outside this age range, you are welcome to attend.

Description: How parents or guardians can work with schools to support their child's education. It explores the duties of schools regarding previously looked-after children and advises on how parents or guardians can best advocate in their child’s interest. This includes:

best practice recommendations given to schools
the importance of building positive relationships with schools
the Virtual School’s role
the educational achievement of previously looked-after children
how Pupil Premium works for previously looked-after children
information sharing
school admission arrangements
special educational needs
choosing a good school
managing challenging behaviour in schools

A copy of the session slides will be sent to you once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

PEP quality training

Target audience: School staff and social workers of statutory school aged children with access to North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire PEPs. If your education setting is for Early Years or Post-16, please contact [email protected] and an officer will contact you directly for support at this phase

Description: The expectations for a high-quality PEP, details about each section and examples of good and poor-quality practice.

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

Refresher designated teacher training

Target audience: Experienced designated teachers for looked-after and previously looked-after children at statutory school age. If your education setting is for Early Years or Post-16, please contact [email protected] and an officer will contact you directly for support at this phase.

Description: The requirements of the designated teacher to fulfil their role effectively for looked-after and previously looked-after children including:

voice of the child
pupil premium plus
raising awareness and staff training
SEN
mental health
partnership working
admissions

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

Social care and Virtual School partnership working

Target audience: Social workers of children in care within Northamptonshire Children's Trust.

Description: How social workers can effectively promote the education of looked-after children through partnership working with the Virtual School including:

think parent
school moves and applications
special Educational Needs and EHC plans
good communication with school
non-mainstream schools
the PEP

Session slides and a certificate will be provided, and the training marked as complete, once your evaluation form is returned.

Dates

Last updated 09 May 2025