Looked after children

The education of looked after children in Salford

Salford has the benefit of having both a virtual school headteacher (VSH) and the care and education support team (CAEST) to help improve the educational achievements of looked after children. We want to help all looked after children, no matter what their background to make the most of their talents and help them to achieve their potential.

Virtual school headteacher

The role of the virtual headteacher, Mr Peter McNamara, is to oversee the educational progress of all looked after children in the care of Salford (whether they are placed in or out of the authority).

A single school may have only one or two looked after children on roll and therefore maybe unfamiliar with issues relating to looked after children. The VSH has the specialist knowledge to provide support to the designated teachers. The VSH also has a remit to work with all professionals within children’s services and with all the schools in (and out) of the area on initiatives to support and promote the education of looked after children.

Care and education support team (CAEST)

The team comprises of:

Neelam Zaka - Manager Care and Education Support Team
Bridget Barrett - Care and Education Co-ordinator
Margaret Woodhall - Assistant Keyworker (Keystages 3 and 4)
Cath Elliot - Assistant Keyworker (Keystages 2 and 3)

As a team CAEST and VSH:

Advise, train, support and work collaboratively with colleagues from a variety of agencies/departments such as foster carers, social workers, designated teachers, school governors, educational psychologists, locality teams and colleagues from SEN
Support individual children and young people both within schools and children’s homes
Monitor children and young people’s school placements particularly at times of transition
Monitor the attendance, attainment and progress of children in public care and intervene providing support as and when necessary
Advocate and champion the interests of looked after children
Set up inter-agency initiatives
Implement government policies around children in public care (e.g. Care Matters)
Support Salford’s children homes
Work closely with the Next Steps Leaving Care Team

How can we improve the educational life chances of looked after children?

There are a number of barriers that prevent children in care from achieving their educational potential and we believe the following actions will improve their life chances:

Greater stability so that children in care do not have to move placements so often
Less time out of school
Help with school work-more individual support tailored for the child or young person
Carers being made aware of issues to do with school and homework
Improved health, including mental health and well-being

Our present emphasis is on:

Improving the effectiveness of personal education plans (PEPs)
Monitoring and improving the attendance of looked after children
Ensuring access to education for all looked after children especially at times of transition or placement moves
Visits to all Salford secondary schools where there are looked after children on roll, to monitor their progress and ensure that their learning needs are being met
Quality training for all services and schools on issues to help looked after children reach their potential
Ensuring that the Personal Education Allowance(s) (PEA) are used to enhance and encourage our looked after children to participate in positive activities in a bid to enhance their educational attainment. PEAs can be used in a variety of ways such as to provide laptops for secondary aged pupils, provide one to one tuition

There is an annual ceremony in Salford to celebrate the achievements of our looked after children.

Salford looked after children can be placed out of the authority for a number of reasons and in a variety of different settings. As such, other authorities may look to Salford to place their looked after children. In all cases we are the corporate parent and have a duty to this vulnerable group of children and young people.