Issue - meetings

Report CEF22049

The report presented a mid-year update on the performance of the Virtual School for children in care and children previously in care, currently adopted, or cared for under a Special Guardianship Order, identifying progress made against the outcomes identified in the Corporate Parenting Strategy.

In response to a question, the Headteacher of the Bromley Virtual School explained that effective arrangements and interventions were in place to support the attainment of children looked after who performed well compared with national benchmarks.  The Vice-Chairman queried attendance and the Headteacher of the Bromley Virtual School advised that this varied across children looked after with attendance by primary-aged children tending to improve when coming into care, whilst older children had often already disengaged from education by the time they came into care.  Attendance was closely monitored for all children looked after including via a monthly multi-agency meeting where consideration was given to how individual children could best be supported.  In response to a question about care leavers, the Headteacher of the Bromley Virtual School confirmed that there were 5-6 care leavers starting their undergraduate university courses during the 2022-23 academic year with a further cohort of young people attending Year 14 who may choose to move into higher education next year.  The Local Authority had a comprehensive financial and emotional support package in place for young people looked after moving into higher education that included a mentoring scheme.  A pilot scheme was being run in partnership with Cambridge University for children looked after in Year 8 and above to encourage aspiration in attending the highest rated universities.

RESOLVED: That progress made towards the actions identified in the Corporate Parenting Strategy be noted.