Local democracy

Agenda item

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL

This is the statutory annual report of the Virtual School Head and Virtual School for the City of Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council. This report highlights the work of the Virtual School; the Local Authority and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children in care from the early years up to targeted care leavers aged 25. The report of the Deputy Director Children’s Social Care (Document “M”) covers progress and attainment at all key stages. The report also outlines the activity of the Virtual School Head Teacher, the Virtual School and the 2018 educational outcomes of children in care which are available currently. It reflects on achievements and progress against the development plan and also identifies areas of development to achieve the best outcomes for children in our care.

 

Data contained in this report, is for children who were in the care of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District council) for a year or more as at 31 March 2018.

 

Recommended -

 

That the Corporate Parenting Panel note the report.

 

(Ken Poucher – 01274 439623)

Minutes:

This statutory annual report of the Virtual School Head and Virtual School for the City of Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council highlighted the work of the Virtual School; the Local Authority and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children in care from the early years up to targeted care leavers aged 25. The report of the Deputy Director Children’s Social Care (Document “M”) covered progress and attainment at all key stages. The report also outlined the activity of the Virtual School Head Teacher, the Virtual School and the 2018 educational outcomes of children in care which were available currently. It reflected on achievements and progress against the development plan and also identified areas of development to achieve the best outcomes for children in our care.

 

Data contained in the report, was for children who were in the care of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District council) for a year or more as at 31 March 2018.

 

The Primary Achievement Officer gave a brief overview of the Virtual School and the notable achievement’s, which were detailed in report.

 

During the discussion Members made the following observations on the Virtual School:

 

In response to a question regarding the success of the reading programme, it was stressed that the Dolly Parton reading programme was still running as well as the reading champions programme.

 

In response to a question regarding the high percentage of Looked After Children with Special Educational Needs, Officers acknowledged that the percentages were high and this was even more remarkable given the progress these children made.  The Member stressed that given the extra challenges faced by Looked After Children educational outcomes had to be looked at in context.

 

In response to a question regarding how schools dealt with issues faced by Looked After Children, such as on the issue of exclusions, it was stated that there was a dedicated link officer to the school, who would be the first point of contact in case an issue cropped up, and appropriate one to one support would be provided to support the child in school.

 

In response to a question regarding schools where Looked After Children were placed, it was explained that generally they would be placed in a good or outstanding rated school, however they were sometimes placed outside of these schools, where the Authority was confident good support would be offered and we had a good relationship with that particular school in terms of supporting a Looked After Child.

 

In response to a question regarding the increase in the proportioned retained by the Virtual School and the extra funding, the Primary Achievement Officer stated that Bradford’s Virtual School was the fourth largest in the country and that during the recent Ofsted inspection the Inspector challenged us around the Virtual School and its impacts on the lives of Looked After Children, so the additional money and staff would enable us to improve our provision further.

 

In relation to a question on a change in Social Worker for a Looked After Child and its impact, it was explained that a change in Social Worker was not a critical issue in terms of the Virtual School, however maintaining an education provision /placement was a vital component.

 

A Member stressed the need for a representative to always attend a parents consultation evening on behalf of or with the Looked After Child, and that schools had to ensure that a more empathetic mechanism was in place during the consultation evening.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the report be noted and that officers be thanked for submitting an informative report.

 

(2)       That a progress report be submitted towards the end of the        calendar year which contains up to date data, to include any          progress made in the development areas included in this report.

 

Action: Assistant Director Children’s Social Care

 

Supporting documents: