Corporate Parenting The implications for governors Tim Osborne – Senior School Improvement Officer and Headteacher of the Virtual School for Children in Care, CiCESS Jane Stephens – Education Officer, CiCESS

Aims of the session The background and the hard facts – the challenge The impact – making a difference The statutory bit – what must be done The implications – how do governors play their part? Where next?

The background and the hard facts - 1 Yr grp Total Nov Mar Numbers in LA Maintained Schools as at March 2011

The background and the hard facts - 2 Current numbers of children in LA Maintained Schools but from other Local Authorities Nov March Current numbers of Cornish children placed in settings other than mainstream schools Nov March

The background and the hard facts - 3 Attendance – in all Keystages – better than the national average for children in care and better than the county average for all children Exclusions 07/0808/0909/1010/11 Fixed Term Permanent3000

The Background and the hard facts - 5 Personal Education Plans A key and statutory element for children in care. An improving picture but inconsistencies remain in terms of timeliness and quality. Guidance is available on the CiCESS website.

The background and the hard facts Not enough children at Year 11 gain 5 A* - C including English and Maths Too much mobility in placements – especially for the older children. BUT –improving picture which is building from the bottom More children are leaving Keystage 2 with Level 4+ in English and Maths More children are leaving Keystage 1 with assessments in line with or better than national expectations. Significantly more children are making good progress in Keystages 1, 2 and 3.

The impact – making a difference Keystage 1 – in line in Reading; above average in Writing; above average in Mathematics. Gap on national (all children) is closing. Keystage 2 – above average in English; Mathematics; Science and English and Maths combined. Keystage 4 - above average in:- At least 5 A* to G; At least 5 A* to C; At least 5 A* to C inc En and Maths. Some case studies: Individuals Groups Schools Settings

The statutory bit – what must be done Schools must have a designated teacher (DT) Governing Bodies should have a governor appointed to focus upon vulnerable groups including children in care The DT must – each year – produce a report for governors to:- summarise the performance of any child in care that the school has educated; Explain how the pupil premium - £430 – has been used to support each child in care; The DT should ensure that a written report is completed for each child in care review. The LA Children’s lead and Director have statutory duties as described within legislation to ensure that the needs of children in care are being met through effectoive corporate parenting.

The governors’ role Corporate Parenting One question – “Would I be happy with this for my child?” Children in care are everyone’s responsibility. The challenge is to embed this notion as a culture, within schools and within the local authority as a whole.

Where next? The new, revised Care Guidance The CiCESS website The Governing Body – ensuring that schools are prepared for, and understanding of, the need to effectively provide for children in care. Advice and support is always available from the CiCESS team

Cornwall Council County Hall Truro TR1 3AY Tel: