Training for Professionals

 


 Training for professionals – 2023-24 academic year

As part of Nottingham City Virtual School’s duty to improve and promote the education of children in care and previously looked after children, we offer training for carers, adoptive parents, designated teachers, other school staff, social workers and independent reviewing officers.  

 Training is free for professionals listed above.  Training is delivered in various forms – online and in-person. 

The information and materials provided in your training are underpinned by relevant policy and legislation relating to the education of children in care and previously looked after children and is aligned to the arrangements of Nottingham City Social Care and Nottingham City Virtual School. 

EPEP Training – school aged children 

This training is necessary for all staff who attend and contribute to PEP meetings. 

Several sessions are available this academic year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions.  

The Nottingham City Virtual School uses an electronic PEP for statutory school age children.  This training will provide participants with knowledge and understanding of how the ePEP system works, through a live demonstration of the portal, taking participants through each section of the ePEP system. The training will also consider professionals statutory responsibilities in respect to PEPs.

Training date(s):     

Thursday 9th May 2024

Time:              15:00 – 17:00

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Kaylie Thompson and Karen Drummond (Education Support Officers)

 

 

Post 16 EPEP Training

This training is necessary for all staff who attend and contribute to PEP meetings for post-16 young people in care.

Several sessions are available this academic year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions.  

The Nottingham City Virtual School uses an electronic PEP for Post-16 young people in care.

This training will provide participants with knowledge and understanding of how the Post 16 ePEP system works, through a live demonstration of the portal, taking participants through each section of the ePEP system. The training will also consider professionals statutory responsibilities in respect to PEPs.

Training dates:       

 Wednesday 17th April 2024

Time:              13:00 – 15:00

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officer)

 

 

Early Years EPEP Training 

Nottingham City Virtual School has now started using Welfare Call’s electronic personal education plan (ePEP) for all of Nottingham City’s looked after children in early year’s provision. Those children attending a school nursery, childminder or private, voluntary or independent provision aged 3 or 4 years.

To support with the introduction of the early year’s ePEP the Virtual School has organised training for early year’s providers, social workers and other professionals. This training will provide participants with knowledge and understanding of how the ePEP system works through a live demonstration of the portal, taking participants through each section of the ePEP system. The training will also consider professional’s statutory responsibilities in respect to PEPs.

Several sessions are available this academic year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions. 

Training Dates:

Thursday 25th January 2024

Time:              15:00 – 17:00

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Marcus Reid (Education Support Officer)

 

Friday 24th May 2024

Time:              09:30 – 11:30

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Marcus Reid (Education Support Officer)

 

 

Designated Teacher Training – new to the role

This training is necessary for all Designated Teachers and staff delegated to carry out Designated Teacher role.

Two sessions are available this year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions.  

This training is for Designated Teachers who are new to the role. The training will cover the role and responsibilities of Designated Teachers in promoting and supporting the educational achievement of looked after children and previously looked after children.

It will consider: Personal Education Plans, Pupil Premium Plus, the role of the Designated Teacher, barriers that looked-after children face in education, and interventions and practices that support the educational achievement of looked after and previously looked after children.

Training Date(s):        

Tuesday 16th January 2024

Time:              09:30 – 12.00

Venue:            Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG – Room 2:31

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Kelley Connolly (Interim Service Manager)

Attendees on the 16 January 2024  session may wish to attend the separate afternoon’s DT training session, 13:00 – 15:30 at Loxley House.   

A separate booking form must  be completed to secure your place. 

No lunch is available on this occasion. 

 

Wednesday 22nd May 2024

Time:              09:30 – 12:00

Venue:            Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Kelley Connolly (Interim Service Manager)

 

 

Designated Teacher Network Session 

The network sessions are appropriate for all DTs and staff delegated to carry out the Designated Teacher role. Please note that attendees are advised to attend both of the Designated Teacher network sessions available this academic year. 

This session is an opportunity for the Virtual School to share relevant information and evidence-based good practice with colleagues who have statutory responsibilities for children in care in Nottingham City Schools. Designated Teachers will be encouraged to share their experiences and establish links with colleagues with similar roles and responsibilities across the authority.

Training Date(s):

Tuesday 16th January 2024

Lunch:                  Provided from 12.00 – 13.00

Session Time      13:00 – 15:00

Venue:                  Loxley House, Station Street, NG2 3NG – Room 2:31

Virtual School staff leading the network session:

Kelley Connolly (Interim Service Manager)

 

Wednesday 22nd May 2024

Time:              13:00 – 15:00

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the network session:

Kelley Connolly (Interim Service Manager)

 

 

 

 

Social Worker Training – The Education of Children in Care

This training is to raise awareness and understanding in respect to the role and responsibilities of social workers and other key people in promoting and supporting the educational achievement of looked after children. The training will consider: the role of key people in promoting the education of looked after children, school admission arrangements and children without a school place, behaviour, attendance and suspensions, Personal Education Plans, Pupil Premium Plus and other funding, transitions between schools and key stages, and special educational needs and disabilities.

Several sessions are available this academic year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions. 

Training Date(s):

Wednesday 7th February 2024

Time:              13:30 – 15:30

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Marcus Reid and Gail Surgay (Education Support Officers)

 

Tueaday 11th June 2024

Time:              13:00 – 15:00

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Jackie Adams and Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officers)

 

 

Foster Carer Training – The Education of Children in Care

This training aims to raise the awareness in respect to the role and responsibilities of foster carers and other key people in promoting and supporting the educational achievement of children in care.   The training aims to empower foster carers to take an active role in the education of children in care.   It will explore the role of key people in promoting education, the purpose and process of Personal Education Plans (PEPs), the impact of attendance, an overview of special educational needs and the funding that is available to support children in care with their education.  

Two sessions are available this academic year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions. 

Training Date(s): 

 Wednesday 8th November 2023

Time:              10:00 – 12:00

Venue:            Microsoft Teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Kaylie Thompson and Jackie Adams (Education Support Officers)

 

Thursday 16th May 2024

Time:              11:00 – 13:00 

Venue:            Microsoft Teams           

Virtual School staff leading the training:

Blossom Stephens (Education Support Officer)

To book onto this training please contact  Nottingham City Council Fostering Team  – the team manage all bookings for this training.  Please contact Rhiannon Gray/Sarah Wilkinson on: 0115 8764821 or email: fostering.training@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

 

 

 

Children’s Residential Training – the Education of Children in Care

Understanding and awareness raising in respect to the role and responsibilities of carers and other key people (Virtual Schools, social workers, designated teachers and independent reviewing officers) in promoting and supporting the educational achievement of looked after children including post 16.

Training can cover all areas relating to the education of childre in care eg:

  • The role of key people in promoting the education of children in care
  • School admission arrangements and children without a school place
  • Behaviour
  • Attendance and suspensions
  • Personal Education Plans
  • Pupil Premium Plus and other funding
  • Transition between schools and key stages
  • Special educational needs and disabilities

How to book staff training:  The home manager should contact Marcus Reid on 07939986594 or email thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to arrange training specific to the learning needs of home staff. 

IRO (Independent Reviewing Officer) – the Education of Children in Care

Training can cover areas relating to the education of children in care, for example:

  • The role and responsibilities of IROs and key people in promoting the education of children in care
  • School admission arrangements and children without a school place
  • Attendance and suspensions
  • Personal Education Plans
  • Pupil Premium Plus and other funding
  • Transitions between schools and key stages

This bespoke training can be booked by contacting the Virtual School Team thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

 Bespoke Training Offer

The Nottingham City Virtual School can provide bespoke training packages to external providers such as independent fostering agencies,  external residential children’s homes, and alternative education providers regarding the education of looked after children .

The training can include:

–  The role and responsibilities of key people in promoting and supporting the educational achievement of looked after children,

–  School admissions arrangements

–  Behaviour

–  Attendance

–  Suspensions/exclusions

–  Personal Education Plans (PEPs)

–  Pupil Premium Plus and other funding

–   Transitions between schools and key stages

–   Special educational needs and disabilities.

Please  contact Kelley Connolly. Interim Service Manager,  on 07535 354961 or email thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to discuss and book bespoke training specific to staff needs.

 

 

 

This bespoke training can be booked by contacting the Virtual School Team thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

How to book onto a training session?

You can book your place using the online training booking form, click on link below:  https://forms.office.com/e/ML5NT5fwib  

If you are having problems accessing the online booking form, please contact the Virtual School via email: thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk 

Please ensure you only book training relevant to your role and responsibilities. Some of the content covered in training may relate specifically to Nottingham City schools and staff.

For details in relation to terms, conditions and cancellations please click here