Parents and guardians of children previously in care

Working together, succeeding together

Education can change the lives of children, raise their aspirations and be the key to stability and success in later life. Our children can achieve and succeed with the support and positive relationships of all those working with them.

What is the Virtual School?

Nottinghamshire Virtual School is a local authority service whose role is to improve the education of children in and previously in care, by supporting schools, carers, parents and social workers to help children and young people to have positive educational experiences. Previously looked after children (PLAC) are those who are no longer looked after by their local authority (in England and Wales) because they are the subject of an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order.

The aim of the Virtual School

The aim of the Virtual School is to promote educational achievement and positive outcomes for children in care and previously in care. By working in partnership with schools, parents, carers and social workers, we can help our children succeed together.

Nottinghamshire Virtual School has extended its role to include supporting children previously in care, by offering advice and information for parents and professionals. We have done this in two ways:

having an Achievement Officer to respond to emails and messages each day.
developing resources. We are currently researching links and resources to develop the website and enable us to best support parents and professionals.

Workshops for families of children who were previously in care

The workshops below will focus on exploring how children understand their emotions and what can happen when their emotions get overwhelming for them.

We will introduce Emotion Coaching so that families can use this as a tool to teach and support children and young people in understanding and managing their emotions. Emotion Coaching is a great tool to have at your fingertips for responding to a child’s behaviour.

Primary education - responding in the moment

Date: Thursday 21 November 2024
Time: 09.30am – 2.30pm
Venue: Edwinstowe House, High Street, Edwinstowe NG21 9PR
Link to book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/977904226867?aff=oddtdtcreator

Secondary - responding in the moment. Understanding the teenage brain

Date: Thursday 6 March 2025
Time: 09.30am – 2.30pm
Venue: Edwinstowe House, High Street, Edwinstowe NG21 9PR
Link to book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/977939191447?aff=oddtdtcreator

Early Years - birth to end of key stage - responding in the moment. Theraplay Focus

Date: Thursday 8 May 2025
Time: 09.30am – 2.30pm
Venue: Edwinstowe House, High Street, Edwinstowe NG21 9PR
Link to book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/977952170267?aff=oddtdtcreator

Download a workshop leaflet [PDF]

Upcoming events

No upcoming events

Kinship Support Service

In Nottinghamshire, we recognise that kinship carers play a vital role in supporting children, often making remarkable sacrifices to keep their families together. As part of the Nottinghamshire Plan, we’ve set up a Kinship Support Service which is on hand to support all families in a Kinship arrangement, whether you have a Special Guardianship Order, Child Arrangement Order or a private or informal arrangement.

Take a look at our leaflet to find out more.

Kinship information hub