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Looked after children
Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
Please read our information on Personal Education Plans (ePEPS) or download our How to Use Welfare Cal (PDF)
In year admissions for children in care
Children in care receive top priority for a school place. If an in year admission is needed, a school place will be arranged a place at the school most appropriate to the child's needs, in line with the protocol for the processing of in year admissions for children in care.
For children in care, the child's social worker should contact Admissions to request an in-year application form for children in care to apply for a school place.
More information can be found on the school admissions policies and reports page.
How to apply for a school place (in or out of county)
Visit the Department of Education website to to the child's placement.
Children repeating a year
Please take a look at the Education Endowment Foundation's project on '' for further information on this.
Children with a social worker
ßÙßÇÂþ» Virtual School (SVS) have extended duties for (in the last 6 years). This includes tracking the children at a cohort level and raising awareness of the specific barriers and vulnerabilities faced by this group which may inhibit educational progress.
These responsibilities give virtual schools heads a strategic leadership role to champion the educational attendance, attainment and progress of children with a social worker. Therefore, we are unable to attend Child In Need (CIN) and Child Protection (CP) meetings or work directly with children and families; we are available to talk directly to social workers and advise them on any aspect of education.
We will support social workers with the necessary knowledge and understanding of educational issues to enable them to challenge and work with schools effectively. ßÙßÇÂþ» Virtual School can offer advice on educational issues to social workers working with young people aged 0-18. This can include advice and further signposting on:
- Attainment data
- Well-being of the young person
- What to ask schools to put in place to support the young person
- Special educational needs (SEN) processes
- Interventions and strategies for a school to consider when meeting the needs of the young person
- Attendance and exclusions
- Reduced timetables
- Local area support systems, external organisations/activities that could support the young person.
We offer educational settings/Social Worker and co-ordinate other services where relevant to attend a consultation. If you wish to speak with one of the team, email cwswconsultations@surreycc.gov.uk
Learning and development
SVS offer a range of training opportunities tailored for both social care professionals and foster carers. Whether you're working within social care or providing a nurturing home environment, our resources, available via the MyLearning platform, are designed to strengthen your knowledge, confidence, and impact.
Explore our training to enhance your practice, deepen your understanding, and help every child thrive. For any questions about the ßÙßÇÂþ» Virtual School training offer for social care practitioners and foster carers, or other general enquiries; please email svs.training@surreycc.gov.uk