Current service offer for Oxfordshire Virtual School

Children We Care For (CWCF) and Care Leavers

Who this includes

Oxfordshire Children We Care For aged 0–18, and Care Leavers up to age 25 if in education, employment or training, wherever they live. This includes children living in kinship placements.

Virtual School involvement

Statutory casework responsibility with a direct education champion role.

What support looks like

• Named Virtual School caseworker
• Personal Education Plans (PEPs) for every child
• Support with admissions, school moves and education or placement stability
• Attendance monitoring and early action
• Guidance to schools and settings on vulnerabilities and needs
• Escalation support to reduce suspension and prevent exclusion
• Pupil Premium Plus (PPP) advice and oversight

How to access support

Support is automatically initiated through care status and existing multi‑agency processes. A Virtual School Worker will be allocated.

Previously cared for children

Who this includes

Children subject to an Adoption Order, Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or Child Arrangements Order (CAO).

Virtual School involvement

Advice and guidance only. No direct casework.

What support looks like

• Professional advice to parents, carers and education settings on request
• Guidance to address attendance, access to education, engagement and belonging
• Guidance to education settings on unique vulnerabilities and needs
• Evidence‑informed practice guidance
• Training and advice for education settings
• Strategic influence to improve system practice

How to access support

Contact the Virtual School.

Children with a Social Worker (CIN / CP)

Who this includes
Children currently on a Child in Need (CIN) or Child Protection (CP) plan, and children previously known to social care.

Virtual School involvement
Advice and guidance only. No direct casework.

What support looks like

• Advice to professionals and education settings on request
• Early identification of need through data tracking
• Guidance and signposting to support attendance, engagement and belonging

How to access support
Contact the Virtual School.

Children in kinship care (not care experienced)

Who this includes
Children living with relatives or family friends outside of care.

Virtual School involvement
Advice and guidance only. No direct casework.

What support looks like

• Advice to carers, professionals and education settings on request
• Guidance and signposting to address attendance, education access, engagement and belonging
• Guidance to education settings on kinship‑related vulnerabilities
• Targeted guidance for children at risk of becoming NEET
• Evidence‑informed practice guidance
• Training and advice for education settings
• Signposting to wider support services, such as Kinship.org

How to access support
Contact the Virtual School.

Children in kinship care who are Children We Care For (CWCF)

Who this includes
Children who are cared for in kinship or connected‑person placements.

Virtual school involvement
Statutory casework responsibility with a direct education champion role.

What support looks like

• Named virtual school caseworker
• Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
• Support with admissions, school moves and placement stability
• Attendance monitoring and early action
• Escalation support to reduce suspension and prevent exclusion
• Pupil Premium Plus (PPP) advice and oversight
• Guidance to schools on kinship‑related vulnerabilities
• Training and advice for education settings
• Support to overcome barriers to education, employment and training
• Strategic system leadership

How to access support
Support is automatically initiated through care status and existing multi‑agency processes. A Virtual School Worker will be allocated. Contact the Virtual School.

Extra information

• This reflects the current service offer and is fully up to date.
• The offer is subject to change as part of service redesign, but the latest version will always be communicated and maintained on our website.
• Our role is twofold: to provide direct support to Children We Care For and Care Leavers, and to work alongside schools and professionals to advise, guide and strengthen practice for previously cared‑for children, children with a social worker and children in kinship care.