The health and emotional wellbeing of looked after children can be a concern as it can significantly impact their overall development and quality of life. Our children often face complex challenges stemming from trauma, instability, and disrupted family environments and can require targeted support to navigate their unique circumstances.
Research indicates that looked after children are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health issues, social difficulties, and educational underachievement, necessitating a holistic approach to their care and support.
The Virtual School plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by providing tailored support that fosters both educational attainment and emotional wellbeing. By working collaboratively with local authorities, schools, and social services, the Virtual School ensures that looked after children receive comprehensive support that prioritizes their health and emotional needs. This includes implementing training programmes for educators on trauma-informed practices, facilitating access to mental health resources, and promoting strong partnerships between educational settings and children's social care.
Through these initiatives, the Virtual School aims to create an inclusive and supportive environment where looked after children can thrive academically and emotionally, ultimately empowering them to reach their full potential.
Barnardo's
The Barnardo’s Children In Care Service supports children and young people of schools age with their emotional and mental wellbeing, education and resilience. The programme includes a variety of evidence-based activities and resources including resilience, solution focused and motivational approaches as well as art and creative activities. The programme is based on a 12-session model of therapeutic intervention however this can vary and is needs led by the child or young person.
The aim of the support is to promote confidence, self-esteem and resilience, empowering children and young people to express their thoughts and feelings. For those children and young people who face to face direct work has not been suitable, a virtual offer remains in place.
Kooth
Dudley Virtual school recommend www.kooth.com for free mental health support for 11-25 year olds. Kooth is an online counselling and emotional well-being support service for children and young people available. There is no referrals required, the young person simply logs on and signs up to the service, internet access is required.
Evolve
The Evolve mentoring programme is supports Children in care using 3 key objectives. The aim of the mentoring programme is improving mental health, improving attendance, improving their academic standards for further education and career ideas, boosting confidence and social skills. The programme has supported over 20 young people this year. The mentor has worked intensively with individual young people and provided support to one young person during his GCSE exams and was invigilated the exams, so that the young person had a familiar person within the place where the exams were taking place, this had a significant impact and allowed the young person to take his exams in school.
