We promote the educational achievement of previously looked after children (post-LAC) in Dudley.
We do this by providing information and advice to:
- Any person that has parental responsibility for the child
- Providers of funded early years education, designated teachers for previously Looked after Children in maintained schools and academies
- Any other person the authority considers appropriate for promoting the educational achievement of relevant children
From September 2018, the scope of the Virtual School was expanded, there are now duties for children who are previously looked after (PLAC). The Virtual School offer advice and information regarding the education of children living in Dudley who were previously in care and are now subject to an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangement order. As the Virtual School do not have parental responsibility for these children, they would not be entitled to monitor these pupils and the duties do not extend to taking on case work or actions. However, we aim to empower all our parents with the advice, information and expertise that we have gathered whilst supporting our children in care to ensure that all the children in our remit can fulfil their potential in school.
Useful Websites
Adoption Central England (ACE) - ACE provides adoption services and adoption support to children and families.
Adoption UK - A charity providing support, community and advocacy for those parenting or supporting children who cannot live with their birth parents
PAC UK - PAC provides information and advice to anyone who has been affected by adoption or other forms of permanent care, as well as the professionals who support them, with expert, independent advice and counselling
Adoption@heart - Adoption@heart are a regional agency for the Black Country. There is a range of adoption support services available to children adopted from care. They provide a wide and extensive range of adoption support services for adopters and their children, birth families and adopted people.