vsk news - kent...vsk news welcome with 2015 well under way i thought i would give you update on our...

VSK NEWS

Welcome With 2015 well under way I thought I would give you update on our progress. The year started extremely positively with the publication of the Statistical First Release (SFR) which compares our progress over the last few years against other Local Authorities (LA) and against National Averages (NA). The SFR evidenced the following:-

At the end of Primary School (Key Stage 2) the gap between Kent and National performance has reduced over the last three years in all four indicators, and the attainment increased.

In Mathematics attainment has increased by 14% pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 8%pts.

In Reading attainment has increased by 11%pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 7%pts.

In Writing attainment has increased by 15%pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 7%pts.

In M, R and W combined attainment has increased by 9%pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 3%pts.

At the end of Key Stage 4 (GCSE completion in Secondary School) last year there were massive national changes which makes direct progress comparison impossible. The National Average for all key indicators reduced as a result of these changes and Kent has seen a similar down turn. Direct comparison however can be done on the three years prior which evidenced the following:-

The gap between Kent and National performance has reduced in all three indicators, and the attainment increased.

In 5 GCSE A-C attainment has increased by 14.4% pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 6%pts.

In NI101 (5A-c inc E&M) attainment has increased by 8.6%pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 5.5%pts.

In A-C E&M attainment has increased by 8.6%pts. During this period the Gap has also reduced by 5.4%pts.

Based on SFR Dec 2013 Kent was one of only three counties nationally that showed an improvement in all three tests ((a) 5+ GCSEs A*-C or equivalent (b) 5+ GCSEs A*-C or equivalent including E&M and (c) A*-C GCSEs in E&M)

This I am sure you will agree is an impressive trend for our young people and is the result of their hard work and the hard work of their schools; foster carers; social workers; health professionals and education professionals’ who work together to improve these outcomes.

The Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) Grant has no doubt made an impact in raising attainment and accelerating progress over the past year with the amount of the grant increasing in April 2014. During this period mainly through schools we have supported individual and group interventions to the tune of £2 million some of which are mentioned throughout this newsletter.

Please take the time to look what is happening across the virtual school and feel free to contact us and let us know how you think we are doing and what other support you feel would be beneficial.

Tony Doran

Headteacher, Virtual School Kent

http://www.virtualschool.lea.kent.sch.uk/

In This Issue

Welcome

Awards Ceremony

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training Dates

ePEP News

Locality Updates

VSK Easter Treasure Hunt

National Citizen Service

Health Assessments for Teens

A day in the life of a FELO

Meet the Locality Admin Team

New VSK staff

Participation & Engagement

Contact Info

Spring Term 2015 Kent’s Virtual School for Children in Care and Young Care Leavers

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING DATES Youth Mental Health First Aid is an internationally recognised two day course designed specifically for

people that teach, work, live with or care for young people aged 11 - 18 years.

You will learn how to:

Provide information, tools and techniques to promote a young person's mental and emotional wellbeing.

Support a young person who might be experiencing mental and emotional distress

Quote from VSK Assistant Head "Fantastic training, I highly recommend it for anyone working with

vulnerable children / young people. Very good use of different materials (art, dvds...) to give an insight into

how young people with Mental Health difficulties can feel or perceive the world. Structured plans giving

you practical support on how to talk about a mental health difficulty and how to respond - all helpful in the

real world! “

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

TERM 5: Holiday Inn at Hothfield, Ashford - 28th and 29th April 2015 - CPD Ref: SCH 15/886

TERM 6: Holiday Inn at Hothfield, Ashford - 24th and 25th June 2015 - CPD Ref: SCH 15/887

Please go to www.kentcpdonline.org.uk to book your place.

Details of all VSK training can be found on our website: http://www.virtualschool.lea.kent.sch.uk/

AWARDS CEREMONY INVITATION DESIGN COMPETITION

Task: Design an Invitation for this year’s awards ceremony with a theme of Celebration

Open to: Kent Children in Care of all ages

Entry: Email your design to [email protected] or post it to Judy Molyneux (address

can be found on the back page of this newsletter) and please include the students name

Deadline: Friday 29th May 2015

Fantastic Prizes for Winning Designs

Nominations for this year’s Awards Ceremony and Post16 Celebration will be open during Term 5.

Full details will be available on our website nearer the time.

ePEP NEWS

ePEP Admin Team Contacts

[email protected]

03000 415353 - Rico and Maria

From 1st March you will notice a new look to the PEP system with several new features including ‘At a

Glance PEP Dates’, ‘PP+/AIF spend’ and ‘Target Tracking’. There is also a new Early Years PEP for 3

and 4 year olds and a 16+ PEP for Year Groups 12 and 13 designed to support and promote further

education and/or training into work-based learning.

From the start of new financial year (01/04/2015) all requests for PP+ or AIF spending will be via the

new ‘Target Section’ within the PEP. This is a simple process where an ‘Area of Focus’ is identified, and

an appropriate ‘Intervention Type’ selected based on the Sutton Trust Categories. Targets should be

SMART, short, medium or longer term depending on the individual young person’s needs. Once a target

has been created it will be date stamped and issued an ID. Not all targets will require funding. If funding

is being requested you will be able to select ‘type of funding’ (PP+ or AIF) and submit the target to await

approval by VSK. Targets can be colour coded and progress reviewed. Targets can also be submitted

outside of the usual twice yearly PEP meeting.

The new platform should ensure a reduction in workload for social workers but higher expectations in

terms of quality and completion rates. 90% of the PEP can be completed prior to the PEP meeting with

the review and target sections updated during the meeting.

The system will continue to offer an interactive young person's views section enabling young people to

communicate with teachers and social workers directly within a secure online private environment. The

new platform will also record chronological educational records and achievements for the young person to

access at any time.

The PEP will contain mandatory fields: you won't be able to sign off an incomplete PEP and new PEPs will

be opened automatically.

We will be sending you further details in the near future.

Our other important news is that Maria Newman has joined our Data Team working with Rico Randolfi in

our Whitstable office. If you need any assistance please get in touch.

mailto:[email protected]

FE & HE COUNTYWIDE UPDATE

Rachel Calver, Assistant Head FE & HE

Tel: 03000 412777 or Email: [email protected]

Well it has certainly been a very exciting and busy 2015 so far – we have been joined

by some new staff to support the Post 16 remit of Virtual School Kent. Lesley Lamb has

been joined by two other Post 16 Support Officers (Kate Corbishley for Canterbury/

Swale/Medway areas) and Wayne Aiken (for the Dover/Ashford/Folkestone areas), with

one other to join us in April to cover the Thanet area. They will be working closely with

the Colleges and other training providers to support young people aged 16-18 not in a school 6th form. They

will also work closely with Social Workers and CXK to support young people currently not engaging in

education, employment or training and linking in with the VSK Locality Teams.

We have also been joined by Sam Sharkey as the Post 16 Admin Support Officer helping to keep me (and the

others in the team!) in check and Callum Vinnicombe working on our biggest challenge – data! Matt Roberts

joined VSK recently as the Post 16 Participation Apprentice and has already started working on how to

promote Apprenticeships and developing the Post 16 information to be added to the Kent Cares Town

website.

In addition to welcoming the new Post 16 staff, I have been busy setting up various training sessions on the

Post 16 sector – with sessions already delivered to Foster Carers and the VSK Participation Apprentices. At

the end of February, we started delivering the training to the CiC Social Worker teams across the county in

collaboration with Simon Bounds from the KCC Skills & Employability Team. In March we will be delivering it

to the Education Support Officers for CiC, Fostering Education Liaison Officers and CiC Education Welfare

Officers, with further plans to share the information with the CiC Specialist Nurses and Admin teams.

During February we have been working closely with the VSK Locality Teams to start the transition support of

this year’s Yr11 cohort, linking in with local colleges for those requiring additional support, and ensuring young

people are clear of their post 16 options (staying on in school, going to college, working/volunteering with

training or apprenticeship). Meetings have been held to start this journey, with representatives from CXK, local

Colleges and the Post 16 joining the VSK Locality Teams. So, a busy couple of months so far, with more to

come I am sure…….


NORTH KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Jo Kelly, Assistant Head North Kent


The Transition for Vulnerable Young People training has just been delivered in North

Kent again… and another event is booked for March in Valence for the schools local to

Sevenoaks.

School and care professionals came along to the SMILE centre in Gravesend to think

about managing complex transitions and took part in a workshop where they got to try

out lots of different transition resources …and then make their own using lots of materials!

Lisa Thistlethwaite and the Participation workers, Kahleigh Jenner and Matt Roberts encouraged even the self-

confessed “non-arty” folk to produce some really great resources to use with their children to support the

moves and changes ahead.

Feedback from those that attended was 100% good or excellent - one evaluation said it was an “Excellent

upbeat informative morning”. If you want to book a space on the next one please contact

[email protected]

Very exciting news is that we have just used Pupil Premium to contract a Speech and Language Therapist to

work with children for 2 days a week in North Kent schools. Sarah Post has already made a start with some of

our children and we really look forward to seeing the impact I am sure she will make.

Watch out for new training dates for the ‘Solihull Approach for Professionals Supporting Children who are

Fostered or Adopted’. This is a two day training event run by VSK North Kent with CIC CAMHS and STLS

(Specialist Teaching and Learning Service)

VSK North Kent have also been working hard with schools to develop some really promising PUPIL PREMIUM

PROJECTS – resources, training events and interventions that should make a positive difference for our

children. Planned for the next few months are the following:

Training events : Pie Corbett, Forest Schools, Mindfulness, Reading for enjoyment (carers)

Resources : Life Coach, Play therapy, Letterbox Books and Maths games

Interventions : Strive to Thrive programme at the Leigh Academy, Knole Academy and Longfield Academy. You

are welcome to ask me about more details on this 10 week intervention which focuses on resilience,

relationships and positive CBT techniques and is delivered by a psychologist.

So think creatively … and if you have a project for Kent CiC that you would like to talk to us about, then get in

touch…


WEST KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Jemma Page, Assistant Head West Kent (Maidstone &

Malling)


I hope you are all having a successful term 4 and looking forward to the long

awaited Easter break!

We are all squirrelling away in West Kent trying to get things in place for our young

people and support schools and colleagues with ensuring good outcomes for all Children in Care across

the district.

We have several exciting bits of news to share with you about projects that we have been able to set up

and roll out over Maidstone and Malling. The first is the super amazing opportunity we have been able to

broker with Dandelion Time in East Farleigh. Many of you will be aware of or will have worked with

Dandelion before and will know the fantastic work they do around attachment and supporting young

people and their carers/parents to move forward with relationships and begin to repair and address

trauma around this. As well as a training package with Dandelion we have also been able to secure some

direct therapy spaces with them which we can use and allocate over the coming year. If you have a young

person in school who you feel would benefit from this intervention then please contact our team directly to

discuss further. Once we have agreed some times and dates we will contact schools directly to offer the

agreed package of training which will be an in depth look at attachment needs and how to manage this

within the school setting.

Alongside this we are also looking to develop several other training opportunities around Literacy and

Outdoor leaning so keep your eyes and ears open for dates and information!

We also have a whole batch of these lovely little monsters on order!

They are ‘Worry Eaters’ and eat children’s worries! We are developing a short hour’s

training for Teaching Assistants to go alongside the resource and hope to be out with them

in schools by the summer!

So lots to do and loads of exciting projects and work coming up over the next few terms! I look forward to

seeing you and please contact us if you need anything!


WEST KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Margaret Hamlyn, Assistant Head West Kent, SENCO & OOC (Tonbridge

& Tunbridge Wells)


I am working closely on a pilot with a new independent provision in Medway to put in

place a rolling programme of English as an Additional Language (EAL) for newly

arrived Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers.

We feel this will help to ‘fill a gap’ in current provision so that schools feel that the young person is better

equipped to go into a mainstream school.”

The course will be open to any young person with EAL needs who has arrived in Kent and will be requiring

a school place once all the assessments have been carried out.

This provision is in Gillingham (at Gillingham Football Club’s ground) so the only thing that the social

worker / carer needs to arrange is transport to and from the sessions.

The courses will run for three weeks, with 3 x 3 hour sessions per week from 9am to 12noon on Tuesdays,

Wednesdays and Thursdays.

We currently have 5 places allocated and there will be three tutors available so there can be a high level of

individualised programmes worked with the young people whilst there will also be opportunities to work in

pairs or a small group.

This course will also help the students to

understand how our education system works,

within a small setting, before they go into a

mainstream school and allow them to gain a

basic knowledge of learning a language that

will support them once they enter the

mainstream education system.

The ideal situation would be that a school place can be found for them to go to at the end of the three

weeks.

For more information and the referral form please visit the VSK website at:

http://www.virtualschool.lea.kent.sch.uk/news/503-vsk-and-medway-eal-project

EAST KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Simon Fosse-Collins, Interim Assistant Head Swale


As ever, things are busy in Canterbury and Swale. In January we welcomed

Gina Turner into the team and she is starting to establish herself fully in the role

of Assistant Head. At the moment Gina is focusing on Canterbury and getting

out to meet as many schools and Designated Teachers as possible, while Simon

is supporting her by picking up Swale.

We also welcomed Debbie Briant to the team just before Christmas as a Support Officer in Swale. Debbie

joined us from a large secondary school where she supported a range of students in various subjects

across the curriculum. The two things Debbie really loves are maths and gadgets and these are great

strengths to add to our already talented team. Given the response from the schools that Debbie is already

working in, she has certainly been made to feel welcome by them too.

The Pupil Premium Plus application window closed at the end of January. Given the increased volume of

applications since closing the October window, schools are taking the chance to access these funds to

help the children they have with them. The applications we had fully reflected the dedication and

commitment that Designated Teachers have for our CiC, making it easy to agree many of the wonderful

interventions they wanted to put in place. While most of these were for tutoring and direct work in the

class, we also had applications for a wide range of resources and therapeutic support. In time we are

looking forward to hearing how successful these interventions have been.

Soon our Yr 6 children will be hearing about their next steps in education as they approach moving onto

secondary school. For some children this transition can be a challenge, and our Support Officers are all

experienced in helping children take this step with great success. Further to this, our Year 11 cohort are

racing towards their final exams. We all wish them the very best with these and if there is anything we can

do to help, then please feel free to ask. We are always willing to help to ensure our children reach their

full potential. We must also remind them, that they should be putting in their

applications for their post 16 options at this time.

With our caring and sharing team attitude we are always keen to hear positive

stories from across the districts and look forward to celebrating the success of all

our children this summer.

Gina Turner, Assistant Head Canterbury




EAST KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Carole Bailey, Assistant Head Thanet


During the past year over 200 children in care in Thanet have benefitted from

over £297,000 additional funding to help them to close the learning gap and

realise their academic potential. The government have in recent years

recognised the disadvantages experienced by many children in care through

early years’ deprivation, trauma or neglect that often leads to underperformance

in school, with the consequent impact on aspirations and life chances. For 2014

– 15 funding has been increased significantly and the grant paid to each local authority’s Virtual School to

agree and monitor, ensuring that schools develop effective and robust plans to best support young people

in closing this gap and making the progress in their learning and careers that they are capable of .

We have thus far seen the greatest impact of this funding in the progress being made in primary school at

the end of key stage 2 ( year 6 ). However, all schools are being increasingly creative in developing

bespoke plans that will support young people in addressing the barriers to their learning, through diverse

and targeted plans of action.

In the coming months, VSK will be working with Thanet secondary schools to further develop best practice

in targeted areas that impact directly on the progress and achievement of children in care :

Supporting successful transition to secondary education

Raising aspirations and achievement for children in care during secondary education, and

A collaborative programme of professional development for schools in key areas such as the

development of the teenage brain , and supporting mental health needs.

We look forward to sharing this work with you in due course.

Eggstra! Eggstra! VSK Easter Treasure Hunt….

Over the Easter Break we will be running an online Treasure Hunt around

the VSK website…follow the clues to find the hidden treasure and you

could win a prize!

Visit the NEWS section on our website between 2nd and 19th April to find

the first clue and further details.

http://www.virtualschool.lea.kent.sch.uk/


SOUTH KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Joanne Hayes, Assistant Head South Kent (Ashford, Hythe & The Marsh)


Life can be very confusing when you are far from home, living with people who you don’t

know, trying to speak with people who can’t speak your language. Life is scary when you

can’t speak to your family, or when you are asked to go places and meet with people and

you don’t know the reason why.

Life feels tough when you are not surrounded by the things that you feel familiar with and

when you don’t understand the rules that the people around you seem to abide by.

Choosing this life must say a lot about the life that you decided to leave, with your family’s

blessing. Choosing to travel, by whatever means are available, hiding, feeling cold, feeling hungry reflects the

difficulties of a life at home.

In South Kent we currently have a relatively large number of children and young people arrive alone from countries

where they do not feel they are safe. Many of these children are under 16. They move into people’s homes, where

they are looked after and cared for. Often they speak very little English and have to rely on an interpreter to find

out what is happening for them. Following their education assessment, a place is identified in a school. Some of our

schools have had 7 or more Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking children placed on their roll in this academic year

alone. The schools have had to identify how to ensure that these children are equipped with a basic level of English

so that they can sit in a classroom and make progress.

Many schools have risen to the challenge. Virtual School Kent has helped Marsh Academy to establish an intensive

English group to equip the high numbers of these students with the skills they need to begin to access the school

curriculum and to support their integration into the school community. The students are working with a specialist

teacher and are supported in attending classes as and when appropriate throughout the 12 week programme.

Many of the students want to stay on at the Marsh for Years 12 and 13 and take full advantage of the facilities and

courses that the Academy can offer. This is a reflection of how hard the school have worked to ensure that these

vulnerable students are fully integrated and valued as part of the school community. The skills that the students are

learning also help them to communicate with their foster carers, social workers and others who they need to

interact with on a daily basis.

This area of our work is sometimes hard to predict in terms of the number of children arriving and where in the

county there are foster carers with spaces. Being able to think flexibly and to access resources when required

through Pupil Premium Plus helps ensure that these young people are not slipping through the net, or being

expected to slot into a world that makes little sense to them without adequate preparation.

In other news, Jen Kemp will be returning at the end of March following her period of Maternity Leave. These few

months have gone very fast for me, and no doubt have passed even quicker for her. I want to thank the team for

being so supportive and an altogether fabulous bunch of people to work with.


SOUTH KENT LOCALITY UPDATE

Marian Smith, Assistant Head South Kent (Folkestone & Dover)


We would like to share with you the story of Kieren who is a year 9 student

attending Brockhill Performing Arts College in Hythe. Kieren is a keen member of

his local Scout troop and has received the accolade of being selected to attend

the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan. Yes, you read correctly he’s going

to Japan, what an opportunity for this 14 year old, he will be able to learn about

various cultures, absorb the atmosphere of Asia as well as taking part in lots of

activities and adventures.

Of course Kieran has had to work hard at making this a reality as the funding required was £3,500. He

has spent weekends baking and selling cakes as well as contacting local businesses to enable his troop

to hold a raffle, plus taking responsibility for selling the tickets. Alongside his carers Kieren has managed

to raise over £2,000 which is a fantastic achievement . Obviously his carers, school and VSK are

extremely proud of him which is why VSK have agreed to provide

money from the Achievement and Improvement Fund to help

towards the funding of this trip.

During all the fund raising Kieren also managed to fit in training

camps with the Scouts to meet other representatives from Kent

attending the Jamboree, as well as keeping up with his school

work.

We are sure Kieran will have a fantastic time and look forward to

him telling us all about his trip on his return.

NATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE

The National Citizen Service (NCS) is a way for 16 and 17 year olds to make extraordinary friendships,

learn the skills they don’t teach you in the classroom and create unforgettable memories. During the

programme young people will stay away from home at an outdoor activity centre, develop new skills and

meet new people, make a mark in their local community by delivering a social action project, celebrate

their achievements at a graduation event and received a formal certificate signed by the Prime Minister.

Organisations delivering the programme are experience in youth-led delivery, with expertise in supporting

young people in exciting and engaging ways. Find out more at www.ncsyes.co.uk or watch the video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LobrFZDIyA


http://www.ncsyes.co.uk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LobrFZDIyA

NEW HEALTH ASSESSMENT SERVICE FOR TEENS ENTERING CARE

WHO: My name is Sally Devincenzi, I have worked with looked after children in Lewisham and then Greenwich

over the past 8 years. Prior to this I was a school nurse and a sexual health Nurse. My special interest is “Teens”

WHAT : Specialist Nurse Practitioner for Teens entering care, I work with Community Paediatricians in Kent

Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT). I offer similar support to the Children in care Specialist Nurses

and work closely with them and other professionals such as Sexual Health ,CAMHS etc… I support 16+ for 3

months before handing over the CIC nursing teams. 17+ will supported by me up to 18 or when they leave care.

WHERE: I am based in Dartford but travel across East, South and West Kent to conduct assessments. Livingstone

Hospital, East Hill, and Dartford 01322 622381: [email protected]

HOW: Conducting initial health assessments on 16+ who come into care, offering flexible appointment times and

venues to fit in with the young person.

I have been in post since 20th October and have met some wonderful young people

and have been especially touched by my experience of working with

unaccompanied asylum seeking young people, who have felt able to share their

journey with me, helping me understand the issues that they have faced on route.

This experience resulted in the writing of this poem…..

The Journey

What do I see when I look in your Face, have you just come from a terrible place?

Were you ill-treated, abused, felt unsafe? Were you, at times afraid for your faith?

Have you left loved ones in war- torn strife? Have you escaped to save your own life?

Did your family sacrifice to send you away, to an unknown land, for which they must pay,

To give you a chance to survive and achieve, entrusted to agents they believe

Will see you are safe and free from harm, but little do they realise or raise the alarm?

Agents can be evil and often cruel; they may beat rape or kill if you break the rule.

Ask no questions of where you will go- a journey so often frightening and slow.

Head down, keep quiet, turn a blind eye; you feel desolate, frightened as you stifle a cry.

Breathe-You are here now, against all the odds, placing your trust in the lap of the gods

So what do you see when you look at me? Kindness, respect and empathy?

Mine’s not to judge, just to know you are well, in health and in mind; only time will tell

Do you feel safe and protected from harm; do you have hopes of finding calm?

Have you support to help you adjust- to strange ways and customs-, with carers to trust

Food that is alien, language unknown, no one to confide in, so far from home.

You worry about the family you left behind, are they safe? -Always on your mind.

Thank you for telling me the good bits and bad and having the trust to tell me what’s sad

Helping me understand how is was for you will help me, in future, to guide others through

A similar journey that you have been on- giving them guidance long after you’ve gone.


Meet the Team….A day in the life of a FELO

Hi, my name is Melissa Baker and I am the Fostering Education Liaison Officer (FELO) for the West Kent area

covering Maidstone, Tonbridge, Malling and Tunbridge Wells. The West Kent area is divided between the two

Assistant Heads Margaret Hamlyn and Jemma Page, with the majority of my work load directed by them.

I joined VSK in August 2014 and I very quickly discovered every day is completely different and varied, so I will

try to describe an average day in the role as the West Kent FELO. I start the day by attending a local Foster

Carer Support Group. During this two hour session foster carers have the opportunity to raise any queries,

discuss concerns or issues and share best practise. This group is also a good opportunity for me to meet new

foster carers and share any up and coming VSK news and answer any questions carers or professionals may

have about VSK, PP+, AIF, PEP’s, Sports and Leisure passes and Kent Pledge laptops.

Once the support group is finished, I head back to the office to collect a Kent Pledge laptop and deliver it to

the foster carers home. When I deliver the new laptops I go through how to set up it up and the login process. I

leave the carer information on the user agreement, e-safety and general information about the use of the

laptop. The young people are always thrilled to receive their laptop.

Next in my diary is a home visit with a foster carer in another part of West Kent, this home visit is to support a

foster carer who is relatively new to fostering and has had little experience of VSK. I use this opportunity to

discuss with the foster carer how VSK as a team can support the young person, the provision or school they

are attending, the carer themselves and how we work alongside other professionals and agencies to support

better outcomes for the young person.

During my time at the foster care home we discuss the child’s participation in out of school activities and how

Achievement Improvement Fund (AIF) can be used to support this. I share information on OCYPC and

participation events the young people may like to attend. I enjoy home visits as I feel its great way to build a

relationship with the carers and it’s an opportunity to ensure we are supporting both the young person and the

carer in the best possible way.

Now it’s time to head off to a primary school to meet with the FLO. This school has recently had a CiC transfer

to their provision and the meeting is to discuss how the young person is settling into their new school

environment. This is also a great way to build relationships with our schools and ensure that VSK are working

alongside the school to ensure not only a smooth transition for this young person but also the carers.

In the afternoon I head back to the office to write up my home visit notes, share relevant information with my

assistant heads and chase up any queries from the foster carer support group earlier in the day. My busy day

is over let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Nicholas Wilson, Senior Administration Officer (VSK Locality Teams)


We have two Locality Administration Support teams, one based at Brook House in Whitstable giving

support to our East Kent and South Kent teams, and the other at Worrall House in Kings Hill, providing

support to our North Kent, West Kent, 16+ and Out of County Locality teams. The Administration Officers

are the guys in the background endeavouring to ensure that everything runs smoothly in order that our

frontline delivery teams can concentrate on bringing about improvements in the education of our Children

in Care (CiC) and Young Care Leavers (YCL).

The nature of the work is varied, with the Administration Support Officers

undertaking a vast array of duties. They are on-hand to assist, both on the telephone

and via email, with any general enquiries coming through to the Locality teams from

Schools, Colleges, Social Workers, Foster Carers and Tutoring Agencies. And if they

can’t assist you directly they will, hopefully at least, be able to point you in the right

direction.

Between them they have, over the past year, assisted in the processing of over

2,000 AIF and Pupil Premium Plus applications including ensuring that the

details of any procured services are correctly set up on the Council’s systems to

help ensure efficient payment of invoices. In some cases they have sourced

direct, or have assisted in the sourcing of, approved tutoring requirements for

young people.

The Administration Support Officers also organise all the training run by our Locality teams. Ensuring that

the events run smoothly from start to finish. Details can be found on our website at http://

www.virtualschool.lea.kent.sch.uk/training

The Administration Support Officers assist the Deputy and Assistant

Heads by handling some of their day-to-day administrative tasks

which includes dealing with the locality teams’ HR requirements,

equipment and stationery procurement, organising diaries and

general office duties. Certainly no two days are ever the same!

They are a useful first port of call should you require assistance so

please don’t hesitate to contact them as they will be pleased to help

LOCALITY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFICERS

Lisa and Nic

Jess, Christine and Samantha

Lyndsay, Charlotte, Mandy and Lynne


LOCALITY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFICERS

East Kent and South Kent - Brook House

General Enquiries: 03000 421157 Email: [email protected]

Canterbury and Swale

Amanda Roback (Canterbury)

Tel: 03000 418737

Email: [email protected]

Lynne Waters (Swale)

Tel: 03000 418785

Thanet

Lyndsay Voller

Tel: 03000 418782


Ashford, Hythe and the Marsh

Charlotte Seymour

Tel: 03000 418747


Folkestone and Dover

Lisa Slocombe

Tel: 03000 419423


West Kent, North Kent, 16plus and OOC - Worrall House

General Enquiries: 03000 412777

Dartford, Swanley, Gravesham & Sevenoaks

Jessica Baker

Tel: 03000 410290


16plus

Samantha Sharkey

Tel: 03000 418388


Maidstone, Malling, Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells

Christine Pearce

Tel: 03000 412251


Kent CiC placed Out of County

Jessica Baker

Tel: 03000 410290


What do our new staff think about their first few weeks with VSK?

Whirlwind would be an apt summary of my first few weeks within VSK.

CXK, PEPs, ePEP, IROs, EWOs, FELOs, what is this strange language they speak? I have personally

enjoyed every minute and have found it interesting learning what the Post 16 role entails. I hope I can

recall all the information that has been presented at the various training sessions delivered by Rachel and

Simon Bounds.

I have met the majority of the Post 16 team as well as the various locality teams and I really look forward

to working with all of you and delivering a positive outcome for the young

people we support through their educational journey.

Wayne Aiken

16plus Support Officer (South Kent)

The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind with lots of meetings. I have been bombarded with

information and acronyms which I am gradually starting to make sense of!

I have also been very busy meeting members of VSK and staff at Colleges. Everyone has been very

helpful and friendly and patient as I have been asking lots of questions!

I am very keen to get stuck in and meet some more young people to be able to support them with their

further education and training.

Kate Corbishley

16plus Support Officer (Canterbury and Swale)

PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT

In February half term we held a residential trip for 10 young people at the

Kent Mountain Centre in Wales. It was a fun packed week which included

activities such as climbing mountains, rock climbing, gorge walking, sea level

traversing and exploring North Wales. We really saw the young people grow over the week and are

proud of all of them!

We also held participation events at the Swattenden Centre near Cranbrook which were attended by 40

young people over two days. The focus was on team building activities which included swamp skis, zip

wire, tri-crane, an obstacle course and bivi building. The young people started the day in small groups

but by the end they all participated in an obstacle course as one big group and had loads of muddy fun.

Coming up….During the Easter break we are organising Gliding, tour of Marlowe Theatre, Kent Life and

Bushcraft events. If you know a young person who might be interested please call 03000 419059 to

speak to Heidi (South and East Kent) or 03000 413305 to speak to Matt (North and West Kent).

TEAM NEWS!

Since our last newsletter three new apprentices

have joined us so we now have four participation

workers in West Kent - Amelia Kury, Matt Roberts,

Gups Mahay and Kahleigh Jenner. And we have

four in East Kent - Bella Taylor, Chris Dowle, Heidi

Coombes and Sophia Dunstan (currently on

maternity leave).

Congratulations to Hayley Finn who has completed

her Level 2 NVQ in Business and Administration.

We wish her all the best for the future!

OCYPC

If you know a young person who might be

interested in joining the OCYPC (Our

Children and Young People in Care Council)

please contact Amelia on 03000 412128 for

more information.

KENT CARES TOWN

Don’t forget to visit our website http://

kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/ for more

information about what is available for Kent

Children in Care and care leavers.

http://kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/

http://kentcarestown.lea.kent.sch.uk/

VSK Contact Information

Tony Doran, Headteacher


Sarah Skinner, Service Business Manager


Malcolm Thomas, Deputy Head (North/West Kent)


Ann Parnell, Deputy Head (East Kent)


Marian Smith, Deputy Head (South Kent)


Judy Molyneux, PA to Tony Doran and Sarah Skinner

Tel: 03000 415067


Kroner House, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, Kent TN24 8XU

16plus, North and West Kent Office

Tel: 03000 412777 Worrall House, 30 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent ME19 4AE

East and South Kent Office

Tel: 03000 421157 Brook House, John Wilson Business Park, Reeves Way, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3SS

vsk news - kent...vsk news welcome with 2015 well under way i thought i would give you update on our...

Documents