Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has launched an online ‘Virtual School’ – a vital new operational tool which supports local schools in the education of care-experienced children and young people.
Working at a senior, strategic level, the new online support facility manages and collaborates with all relevant stakeholders to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after across the County Borough.
With its mission statement ‘every child deserves a champion,’ the Virtual School operates under a co-constructed vision and a set of moral values which underpin the work of the Virtual School.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Participation, said: “I am delighted that we have this new support mechanism in place for children looked after, with its mission statement of ‘Every child deserves a champion.’
“We have a duty of care to all of our learners and this new online facility provides further support to our staff who already do fantastic work in our schools.”
The online Virtual School team support the role of the designated member of staff for children looked after in schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Training, forums and ‘drop-in’ sessions are arranged throughout the academic year in order for school staff to gain an insight into the difficulties care experienced children and young people may encounter and how best to support them.
The Virtual School team work collaboratively with a number of stakeholders and is currently establishing a Multi-Agency Management Committee which will act as a critical friend to the online school, providing an additional layer of scrutiny.
Under the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014, the Council supports children to live within their own families as long as it is safe for them to do so, and work with families to overcome the difficulties they are having so that whenever possible, their children can return home. However, if it is not safe or not possible for a child to stay in the family home, Children's Services will make arrangements for them to be looked after by the local authority.
To find out more about the RCT Virtual School, Email: virtualschool@rctcbc.gov.uk
Posted on 30/05/2023