KCC Virtual School Kent

Information for care leavers about help they can receive from Virtual School Kent:

Who can help you from VSK?

If the young person is in a school sixth form then they will be supported by the Virtual School Kent Locality Teams—see website for contact details.

If the young person is at a school sixth form, College, on an Apprenticeship, Employed, Volunteering, with a training provider or not accessing any provision, they will be supported by the Post 16 Team of Virtual School Kent they will have a named Post 16 Support Officer or Key Stage 4 Progression Officer. See website for contact details.

 

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For those in Year 11 now There are Key Stage 4 Progression Support Officer in each team to work with the young person, school, Social Worker, Foster Carer to help identify post 16 options. They work closely with the Post 16 Team. The Progression Officer can help with looking at options, understanding the application/interview/offer information, informal visits to providers.
 

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For those in year 12 and 13 now The Post 16 team are available to help with choices, or if the young person is not sure they are on the right programme. They will also work with the provider to make sure the young person is accessing the support they require.
 

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PEPs Personal Education Plans continue into years 12 and 13 and is on the electronic KENT PEP system. For those in Years 12 and 13, the PEP meeting can be held differently to when the young person was in school. It may be through a review meeting at the provider, or it may be an informal PEP. PEPs also need to be recorded for those employed, on an apprenticeship, volunteering or missing. Where possible, Virtual School Kent staff will try to attend the PEP meetings where there are some concerns—due to the large numbers of young people, the team are not always able to attend.
 

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Results time When results come out in August, there will be staff available from Virtual School Kent to offer guidance and support if results were not what expected, and impact on chosen post 16 plans.
 

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Supporting Enrolment The year 11 Progression Officers and Post 16 team will be available during the enrolment periods of post 16 choices as this can be a very busy and confusing time. When the young person knows of their enrolment date and time, please keep this information safe. They will also need to take proof of results with them to enrolment, otherwise they will not be able to enrol on the programme.
 

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Induction Periods

During the first 6 weeks of the first term, the young person may feel that the programme isn’t quite right for them, or the environment may not be best suited to meet their needs. If this is the case, the young person needs to let someone know as soon as possible to discuss this and consider other options.

Leading up to the October half term, the post 16 provider may set clear criteria that the young person has to meet to be able to stay on the programme after the October half term—it may be to have 100% attendance, to submit key pieces of work, to show commitment and motivation to the programme. If the young person does not meet the set criteria the young person might be asked to leave the provider.

 

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English and Maths A young person will be required to continue to study English and Maths in post 16 if they haven’t already achieved a grade `4` or above whether they are at school, college or on an apprenticeship.
 

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18+ Service Virtual School Kent works closely with the 18+ Service to support transition.
 

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Where can I find more information A Policy is available that focuses on supporting young people into education, training or employment—visit virtualschool.lea.kent.sch.uk/news/03-11-2016-education-training-and-employment-policy-ks4-and-beyond. There will be resources available for Foster Carers and Social Workers on our website too.
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