Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing the annual update in relation to the educational outcomes for Children in Care.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing the annual report on the educational outcomes for Children in Care. The Panel heard that the role of the Virtual School was to promote educational outcomes of Children in Care and they therefore collect data on all Looked After children in Hampshire Schools. The Panel noted that the small team worked alongside the Designated Teachers for Children in Care placed in each school.

The Panel heard how the analysis focused on children who had been in care for a year or more as of the 31 March, and that the data is affected but the relatively small cohort leading to fluctuations.

In response to questions, members heard that;

·         Looked After Children receive support at schools in relation to afterschool activities etc. alongside college & university applications.

·         Statistical neighbours are followed to ensure best practise is always applied.

·         Schools for looked after children are selected after careful consideration to find the best provision for them.

·         Previously looked after children are not included in the data and are not tracked.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the contents of the report.