Parents and carers

Darlington VS recognises the vital role that parents and carers play in supporting the education of children and young people.

The Virtual School is responsible for overseeing the child in your care’s education. We work with schools to ensure each child receives a high quality, supportive learning environment so that educational outcomes are maximised, and each child can fulfil their potential.

Who is a Designated Teacher (DT) within a school?

Each school has a Designated Teacher (DT). They are a qualified and experienced teacher with appropriate seniority to provide leadership, training, information, challenge and advice to influence and support the education of children who come under the remit of the Virtual School. The DT should make a positive difference by promoting the needs of children with a social worker to ensure their social, emotional, and academic needs are prioritised.

Designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children - GOV.UK [external link]

What should I do if I have concerns about my child’s education?

Our role is to ensure that Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are high-quality and that your child is receiving a Quality First Education- both academically and pastorally. If you have any concerns about a school or an education setting or about the educational progress of your child, please contact the Designated Teacher in the first instance, as any good parent would. If you feel further support is required, please request an ‘Education Care Team Meeting’ between yourself, school, Child’s Social Worker, Supervising Social Worker and Virtual School Officer. Further advice can be sought by emailing [email protected]

Can a headteacher exclude a child in our care?

The exclusion of a child in our care should be an absolute last resort, as consistency within education is paramount for any child. When a school has concerns that a child is at risk of exclusion, the school should work in partnership with the Virtual School and the team around the child to consider what additional support or measures can be put in place.

If as a parent or carer, you have concerns that the child in your care is at risk of exclusion, please contact the child’s social worker and the Virtual School as soon as possible; do not wait until the next scheduled PEP.

If a headteacher makes a decision to exclude a child, they must take into account the following guidance from the Department for Education: Suspension and permanent exclusion guidance [external link]

If a child is excluded for a fixed-period, the school must provide work for the first five days of the exclusion and will talk to you about the arrangements in place. From days six-ten, the school should provide an alternative place for the child to be educated.

In the event of a child being permanently excluded, the child’s social worker should convene and Education Care Team meeting involving all parties to seek an alternative place of education for the child. School Governors should meet within 15 school days to review the decision to permanently exclude. If the decision is made to uphold the permanent exclusion, an appeal can be made within 15 school days. In such instances, the Virtual School Head Teacher will advise.