To consider a report which provides information on the role of the Virtual School and the unvalidated outcomes for Central Bedfordshire Looked After Children in the Academic Year 2014/15 and the steps being taken in the Academic Year 2015/16 to raise the levels of achievement and progress for all Looked After Children.

The Panel considered a report from the Director of Children’s Services which explained the role of the Central Bedfordshire Virtual School and provided the unvalidated educational outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2014/15.  The report also identified the measures taken by the Virtual School in the current academic year 2015/16, in partnership with other agencies, to raise the achievement and progress of all Looked After Children.

The Head of Service Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils provided a brief introduction to the report before seeking queries and comments from Members on its content.

Members welcomed the substantial progress made in Looked After Children’s educational attainment and expressed their warm appreciation of the contribution made by the Head of Service Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils.  In reply the Head of Service thanked the Panel for its comments though she stressed that these also applied to her co-workers who had contributed to what was a team effort.

The Head of Service Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils then responded to a number of comments and queries raised by Members.  Such issues included the sourcing of suitable schools for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), national changes to the measurement of pupil outcomes, the challenges arising from unaccompanied asylum seekers and the use of the pupil premium and Personal Education Plans (PEPs) to raise levels of attainment and progress during care.

Discussion also took place with regard to the difficulties which sometimes arose for young people with SEN during their transition into adult social care.  A foster carer provided the Panel with an example of such shortcomings and the negative impact on educational opportunities for the young person concerned.  In response the Head of Service Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils suggested a possible way of overcoming the obstacles which had arisen.  She emphasised, however, that such situations should no longer arise due to the introduction of Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans which applied to children and young people up to the age of 25 and which should ensure a seamless transition. 

Nonetheless, the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations acknowledged that difficulties could still arise and suggested that a ‘spotlight’ report be submitted on this issue.  The Panel welcomed the Assistant Director’s suggestion.

NOTED

the progress made to date in improving outcomes for Looked After Children and young people in Central Bedfordshire during the academic year 2016/17 and the impact of the measures taken in the current academic year 2015/16 to do so.

RESOLVED

1          that a ‘spotlight report’ on the current process which applied to  young people as they moved into adult social care and what, if any, action can be taken to improve support for them during this phase of their lives, be submitted to the Panel;

2          that young people be invited to the above Panel to talk to Members about their personal experiences in this area.