Professional development opportunities

Designated Teachers and PEP writers

The training events provide you with an opportunity to develop links with the Virtual School and with other Designated Teachers (DT), as we work together to increase the progress Suffolk’s children in care make in school. Even if you currently have no children in care at your school, it is important that you stay up to date with processes and expectations should a child join you.

Ofsted is looking closely at the relationship schools have with the virtual school and information gained at network meetings. It has proven useful to schools during the inspections. Education outcomes for children in care are a priority for Ofsted and inspectors have told us that they will be looking closely at how a school prioritises work with children in care when making inspection judgements.

Our DT network meetings typically take place on a termly basis in each area of the county. The aim of these sessions is to share good practices and updates regarding the education of children in care and to also enable DTs from different schools to establish links and to share experiences that will benefit each other’s work with children in care and children previously looked after.

The network sessions are available to Personal Education Plan (PEP) writers and governors with children in care (CiC) and previously looked after children (PLAC) oversight as well as DTs. 

As part of our rolling programme of virtual DT network meetings, see the information below about our upcoming sessions – our aim with these virtual meetings is to check in with you and for us to offer any guidance and support you might require, for our children in care.

Autumn Term 2024

Using the SDQ score to promote the outcomes of CiC

This session will illustrate the importance of using the SDQ assessment and each pupil’s score to plan and implement the right provision and support for children in care.

• Tuesday 12 November 10 – 10.45am
• Tuesday 12 November 3.45 – 4.30pm

ePEP check-in 

The purpose of this session is to provide some support with the completion of the ePEP. A best practice approach to how a pupil’s plan can be recorded and evidenced in the document will be the focus. 

• Tuesday 19 November   10 – 10.45am
• Tuesday 19 November    3.45 – 4.30pm

To reserve a place please complete the booking form.

If you have any queries, please email us: suffolkvirtualschool@suffolk.gov.uk or call on 01473 260818.

Online Training Resources

We offer online training packages, free of charge, to DTs. Access to these can be requested from the Virtual School office or via your Virtual School contact.

Recently, we have provided training via Education DESTY. Please also see the resources and links page for more information on online training.