Guests:
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of Children & Young People Committee
Tapiwa Julius, Children’s Principal Social Worker at Cambridgeshire County Council

Cllr Bryony and Tapiwa join Edwina and Ross in this episode to discuss the discrimination that some of our learners' face. They explore care experience as a protected characteristic and intersectionality for learners who currently have the support of a Social Worker, or who have had support from a Social Worker.

Cambridgeshire County Council have adopted the approach of considering care experience as a protected characteristic - Cllr Bryony talks to us about why this is, how we have made this happen and what this means for Cambridgeshire children in care. The recent Barnardo’s Report on Double Discrimination is also explored in relation to the impact of intersectionality, unconscious bias, and low expectations for our learners.

The overriding message is one of hope - that if we can continue to reflect on our own practices and biases, we can better support and empower our learners to achieve their maximum potential.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/news/double-discrimination-barnardos-calls-change-report-highlights-young-black-people-who-have

Meet Andrea and Kaitlyn. Edwina and John describe them as "Our best guests yet!"

We are so proud to be able to share this podcast with you. Andrea and Kaitlyn describe their educational experiences and what they want their Designated Teachers to know and do. 

- "Don't pull us out of lessons!"
- "Face the problems and don't shy away!"
- "PEP meetings can be tiring!"

Don't get jealous when you hear about Japan and India!

Cambridgeshire Virtual School receives support and challenge from the Virtual School Management Board. In turn there is an expectation that school governors and trustees ensure that they hold schools and trusts accountable for the educational outcomes of all children known to social care.

Andrew Read is the Chair of Cambridgeshire Virtual School Management Board. He joins Claire Hiorns,  Virtual School Head Teacher, to discuss governance and accountability with John and Edwina.

They determine that strong governance is key to promoting educational outcomes and consider the structures and processes in place within both the Local Authority and at a school and trust level.

Governors (Cambridgeshire Virtual School) - Learn Together (cambslearntogether.co.uk)

In this episode Edwina and John are joined by Laura Jenkins, the Virtual school's post-16 and careers lead alongside Mark Cowdell, Cambridgeshire's countywide NEET manager.

We know that the risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) is higher for children in care and care leavers. So how can we mitigate against this? Laura and Mark advocate driving high aspirations right through from early years and primary education.

Update to Participation Statutory Guidance FINAL (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Characteristics of young people who are long-term NEET (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Kevin Arrowsmith, adoptive parent and foster carer, and Claire Pickett, Cambridgeshire foster carer training lead, join John and Edwina in this episode to discuss the vital role foster carers play in supporting the education of children in care.

They comment on the educational journeys of our children and young people through a unique lens, sharing unseen barriers children may face in accessing education. In particular they describe how close partnership working between school and home can overcome challenges and drive aspiration, attainment and progress forward.

Thinking of becoming a foster carer?

Life as a Foster Carer is a hugely rewarding life-changing experience, and no two days are ever the same. If you want to make a real, positive difference to the lives of local children and young people, there has never been a better time than now to join us – so please get in touch.
 
Fostering in Cambridgeshire - Cambridgeshire County Council

Heather Edwards and Zoe Lattimer are back with Edwina and John to discuss the emerging national agenda around the educational outcomes for children who have or have had a social worker in the last 6 years.

They consider what is known already about this cohort and how partnership working can be developed to promote educational outcomes for these children and young people.

Cambridgeshire Virtual School are hosting a conference on this theme "Stable Schools: Leading Change and Building Futures".

To book a place on this please follow the link https://forms.office.com/e/SNr5TZxZ7w
(for Cambridgeshire schools and trusts only)

Promoting the education of children with a social worker (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Children's social care stable homes built on love consultation (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Links to the app:

Cambridgeshire Virtual School – Apps on Google Play

Cambridgeshire Virtual School on the App Store (apple.com)

Tom Hallmark and Zoe Lattimer join John and Edwina in today's episode to discuss the impact of change and transitions for children and young people who are in care. 

Change can be difficult for this cohort. This is because children who have experienced early trauma and unhealthy attachments do not know that change is OK; being able to know that change is OK can only come when you have a secure basis to place that on.

Transition is not just about the major changes that occur in phases throughout life. There are many transitions which occur in a typical day. For example, from one task to another; moving from one room to another; from home to school/college and back again; inside to outside; classroom to break time. 

Cambridgeshire Virtual School - Learn Together (cambslearntogether.co.uk)
Transition book (cambslearntogether.co.uk)

In this episode John and Edwina are joined by Isabella Stecka (Senior Social Worker) and Kim Green (Virtual School Advisory Teacher). Issy and Kim share their extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of social care and education respectively around the specific needs of this group of children in care.

Their passion is remarkable, and we hope that the stories they refer to in this podcast inspire you to hold the highest of expectations for this cohort of young people.  

Cambridgeshire Virtual School (@CambsVs) / Twitter

Cambridgeshire Virtual School - Learn Together (cambslearntogether.co.uk)

Promoting the education of looked-after children and previously looked-after children (publishing.service.gov.uk)