Going to school while you're in care

We want you to do well at school. We will try to keep you in the same school if you come into care.  

We will make a Personal Education Plan that helps you get a good education.

You might also have an Education, Health, and Care Plan if you have a special educational need or different ability.

When you are in care, sometimes it can be hard to go to school on top of everything else you are going through. The people who support you and teachers will do everything they can to help you when times are tough.

Your foster carer will support you with school every day. They will help you to get to school on time and make sure you have the right equipment and space to do your homework at the end of the day. They will also attend meetings at school and other school events.

Who can help at school

You can get help from:

• your teachers
• your social worker
• your designated teacher – every school has one for children in care
• your special educational needs and disabilities coordinator – sometimes called a SENDCO, can give you extra learning help
• the Virtual School headteacher – who supports children in care at school

Virtual School

The Virtual School helps children in care get the right education and support. The Virtual School:

• supports all children and young people in care and those who have a social worker
• makes sure personal education plans give the right care
• works with schools to make sure they offer the right support

Each young person in care has a Personal Education Plan.

Your social worker, a teacher from your school who knows you well, and your carers will have a meeting with you to see how you’re doing at school. You will discuss what you are doing well and anything you may need help with. This is your time to tell everyone how you think you are doing in school. You can talk to your teachers or social worker before the meeting to write down anything you would like to say. 

After the meeting, we’ll build a plan together to get you the support you need. Even though we’ve made a plan, you can always talk to the people who support you if things aren’t working well and you want to make a change.