Overview
Over the academic year the ßÙßÇÂþ» Virtual School (SVS) facilitates training courses, webinars, peer support and networking groups and events for specific roles and groups of professionals working with our cohort of young people. These provide help and advice to achieve the best outcomes for children in care, previously looked-after children and children with a social worker throughout their education.
We can offer:
- training for designated teachers in schools, school governors, social care colleagues, foster carers and a range of partner agencies
- advice, information and guidance on all aspects of education for looked-after children, previously looked-after children and children with a social worker.
The SVS facilitates multiple courses throughout the academic year. We are pleased to confirm our training offer for the 2025 to 2026 academic year is now live and can be booked through the website. View our .
New to role designated teacher training
The states 'the governing body of a maintained school and the proprietor of an academy must ensure that an appropriately qualified and experienced member of staff (the designated teacher) undertakes the responsibilities within the school to promote the educational achievement of looked-after and previously looked-after children on the school's roll. They must also ensure that the designated teacher undertakes training that is appropriate to carrying out this duty'.
This in-person training course has been designed to ensure operational tasks of a designated teacher are looked at in depth and the implications of them considered in practice. It will also enable designated teachers to effectively identify the areas of need and difficulty characteristic of looked after learners.
This is underpinned with an introduction to attachment and trauma. All education settings are required to have a trained and named designated teacher in post regardless of if they have any children looked after on roll.
This course will include:
- securing knowledge and practice linked to the Statutory Duties and the Local Authority Legal Corporate Parenting Duties,
- mechanisms for Pupil Premium Plus Grant (PPPG) Funding and maximising impact,
- completion of Personal Education Plans (PEPs) including looking beyond the operational aspects to the effective process leading to writing a meaningful action plan,
- consideration of strategic planning for the vulnerable groups linked to the Virtual School,
- introduction to understanding attachment and trauma,
- care experienced pupil perspectives.
Post course, the ßÙßÇÂþ» Virtual School will provide a follow up virtual Q&A drop in session, and access to a member of the team for support.
The is now live on ßÙßÇÂþ» Education Services for booking. Dates for the spring and summer terms will be shared in due course.
Personal Education Plans (ePEPs) and Pupil Premium Plus (PP+)
The SVS team can offer 1:1 training to navigate the platform where ePEPs are recorded. This includes providing current progress and attainment data, setting Smart targets and using pupil premium plus funding to support learning targets.
To request a 1:1 conversation with one of our education support officers, please get in contact with us
Contact us
We are keen to hear from you if you are new to your role and would like to express an interest in our training offers. If you have any questions regarding training, please get in touch via email svs.training@surreycc.gov.uk or telephone 0208 541 7761.