The Role of Parents, Foster Carers, Social Workers and Residential care staff

Supporting the Education of Children in Care

Guidance for Parents, Carers and Professionals

Parents, foster carers, social workers and residential care staff all play a critical role in promoting and supporting the education of Children in Care. By nurturing self‑esteem, setting high expectations and encouraging engagement with learning, you can help improve educational outcomes and future life chances.

Many Children in Care have experienced educational disruption, including:

  • Gaps in school attendance
  • The effects of abuse or neglect on learning and behaviour
  • Placement, area or school changes after becoming Looked After

These experiences can impact progress, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Strong partnership working is essential to ensure educational needs are understood, supported and reviewed regularly.

The Virtual School must be informed before any school placement change is considered.

Information for Previously Looked After Children is available via the relevant links on this website.

If You Have Concerns About School or Provision

If you are worried about a child’s school placement or educational provision:

  1. Raise concerns with the school, child’s social worker, or supervising social worker
  2. Request a multi‑agency meeting, which may include: 
    • Carers
    • Social worker
    • Supervising social worker
    • Virtual School representative
    • School staff
    • The child or young person (where appropriate)
  3. Ask whether there are additional resources or support available through the Virtual School or Fostering Service

If You Are Concerned About Educational Progress

  1. Contact the School Designated Teacher for clarification
  2. Contact the Social Worker to request a PEP
  3. Speak to your Virtual School representative for further support or advice

How Parents and Carers Can Support Learning

The Virtual School provides practical guidance and resources to help carers support learning at home, especially where:

  • A child is unable to attend school temporarily, or
  • Additional learning outside school is beneficial

Learning in the Home – Downloadable Support Guides

  • Early Years Learning in the Home
  • Primary Phase Learning in the Home
  • Secondary Phase Learning in the Home
  • Post‑16 Learning in the Home

These guides support structured, age‑appropriate learning at home.

The Role of Carers in Promoting Education

The Fostering National Minimum Standards (2011), Standard 8, outlines how carers should promote education and learning.

Carers are expected to:

  • Advocate for the child’s educational needs, concerns and aspirations
  • Celebrate and record achievements and progress
  • Support access to learning materials and enrichment activities
  • Ensure homework is completed, working with schools where needed: 
    • Early Years: daily sharing of books and routines
    • Primary: daily reading, spelling and homework support
    • Secondary: encouragement with homework and coursework
  • Promote good attendance, punctuality and engagement
  • Contribute to the child’s Personal Education Plan (PEP) through the ePEP system
  • Raise concerns promptly with the social worker or supervising social worker

Further Guidance and Support