SCRUTINY REMIT:Virtual Schools for Children Looked After

As at 22 Aug

OBJECTIVE:
To scrutinise the work of theVirtualSchool for children looked after following its first full year and the improvement that has been made in reversing the lack of progress in addressing the underperformance in educational achievement.
QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED:
  1. What difference has the Virtual School made to the underachievement of children looked after?
  2. What is the contextual information that lies behind the data on outcomes for children and young people and how is it relevant?
  3. How effectively does Hertfordshire County Council fulfil its duty to promote the educational achievement of children and young people in care?

OUTCOMES:
  • An understanding of full remit of the VirtualSchool to support and promote the educational achievement, training and employment of children in care and care leavers
  • A greater understanding of the achievement and progress made to narrow the gap for this highly vulnerable group, with recommendations that will strengthen future strategy
  • An understanding of the impact of the outcome of this work on individual children and young people through the sharing of case studies

CONSTRAINTS:
This scrutiny will focus on the work of the VirtualSchool for children in care and care leavers to promote educational achievement and improved life chances and not the wider Children Looked After Strategy
EVIDENCE & WITNESSES:
Felicity Evans / Jan Spavin
Jackie Goodhall / Deborah Mulroney
Alison Saunders ( Head Simon Balle school and VS Governor) / Kate Cawthra
Marian Ingram / Daniel Kerr
Angie Walker ( JohnWarnerSchool) or Sarah Lansley ( ParmitersSchool) / Vikkie Balkram ( GeorgeStreetPrimary School)
METHOD:OSC DATE:2 Nov 2011
MEMBERSHIP:Membership of OSC
SUPPORT:
Scrutiny Officer: Natalie Rotherham
Lead Officers: Felicity Evans
Democratic Services Officer: Fiona Corcoran
HCC Priorities for Action: how this item helps deliver the Priorities
  1. Support economic well being
Children looked after are supported to achieve their educational potential and are encouraged as care leavers to participate in further education, training and employment
  1. Maximise independent living
Care leavers are given the support and skills they need to live independently
  1. Ensure a positive childhood
Children and young people contribute to their education plan and they and those who care for them have high aspirations for their future
  1. Secure a good education for all
Schools and education providers will be enabled to formulate plans to support children and young people so that they aresupported to achieve their educational potential and improve their wellbeing.
  1. Reduce carbon emissions
There is no direct contribution to this priority
  1. Ensure safe neighbourhoods
There is no direct contribution to this priority
  1. Be a leading council
Hertfordshire will act to improve outcomes by narrowing the achievement gap between this vulnerable groupand their peers
CfP’S OBJECTIVES:
The scrutiny should fulfilthe Centre for Public Scrutiny objectives
  1. Provides a critical friend challenge to executive policy makers and decision makers
  2. Enables the voice and concerns of the public to be heard
  3. Is carried out by independent governors who lead and own the scrutiny role
  4. Drives improvement in public services

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