To consider a report on the role of the Virtual School for Looked After Children, the educational outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2014/15 and the measures taken in the current academic year 2015/16, in partnership with other agencies, to raise the achievement and progress of 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, the validated educational outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2014/15 and the measures taken 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 Children stated that an interim report on the unvalidated educational outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2015/16 would be presented to a future meeting.

The Head of Service, Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils then introduced the report before Members which covered the following matters:

·         Background

·         Exclusions

·         Attendance

·         Pupils’ Achievement

·         Validated Key Stage 1 results

·         Validated Key Stage 2 results

·         Validated Key Stage 4 Results 2014/15

·         Year 12 and 13

·         Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers (UASC)

·         Summary of Strengths

·         Key Areas for Development

The Head of Service, Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils stated that the educational attainment gap between all Looked After Children and non Looked After Children was closing.  Whilst welcoming this development a Member felt that it would be helpful to be able to examine the progress made by children since becoming Looked After.

The Vice-Chairman referred to the link between attendance and attainment and queried if any incentives were offered to encourage attendance.  In response the Head of Service, Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils stated that the majority of the Council’s Looked After Children had a good attendance record.  However, there was a small but significant number of older pupils who were challenging in their attitudes on a wide range of issues, including school attendance.  She added that, normally, one of the key measures that could be taken with respect to poor attendance was some form of legal intervention against the parent.  However, it was not possible for the Council to take action against itself.  The Head of Service, Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils stated that a gift card attendance incentive was offered and other means of encouraging attendance were being considered.

A Member commended the officers for the action taken to reduce absences and exclusions.  The Head of Service, Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils explained that the positive advances arose through collaborative action between teams and the development of the understanding of the needs of those particular Looked After Children and how to meet them.  This had resulted in fewer reasons to impose permanent exclusions.

The Chairman suggested that the report should be drawn to the attention of those Members who were also school governors.  She also suggested that the report be drawn to the attention of the Council’s Group Leaders.

In response to a query by the Chairman on whether the level of careers advice offered to Looked After Children and young people was sufficient the Head of Service, Virtual School and Vulnerable Pupils stated that Looked After Children’s academic and vocational aspirations were being raised.  Following discussion she suggested that Michelle Wilson, Personnel Advisor, whose role was to raise the aspirations of Looked After Children, be invited to attend a Panel meeting to brief Members on the measures being taken.

NOTED

the outcomes for Looked After Children in the academic year 2014/15 and the impact of the measures taken since September 2015 to develop the role of the Virtual School in order to improve outcomes for Looked After Children and young people.

RESOLVED

1          that a report setting out the academic progress made by Looked After Children since becoming Looked After be submitted to the Panel;

2             that the Interim Report Virtual School for Looked After Children from the Director of Children’s Services be drawn to the attention of those Members who are also school governors;

3             that the Interim Report referred to in resolution 2 above also be drawn to the attention of the Council’s group leaders;

4             that the Personal Advisor attend a future meeting of the Panel to explain the measures being taken to raise Looked After Children’s aspirations.