Training for Professionals
Training for professionals – 2025-26 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, 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.
All our training is evaluated and reviewed annually, or sooner where changes in legislation or policy requires. We ask that all participants complete our training evaluation forms as this helps us to ensure our training remains effective, informative and relevant. Details on how to book your place and our cancellation process are at the bottom of the page.
- EPEP Training
- Post-16 EPEP Training
- Early Years EPEP Training
- Designated Teacher Training - new to the role
- Designated Teacher Network Session
- Social Care Training
- Foster Carer Training
- Children's Residential Homes Training
- IRO Training
- Bespoke Training
- Bespoke Training Previously Looked After Children
- Bespoke Training children in Kinship care
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 dates:
Date: Wednesday 8th October 2025
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Venue: Micosoft Teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Jackie Adams (Education Support Officer)
Date: Thursday 6th November 2025
Time: 13:30 – 15:30
Venue: Micosoft Teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Karen Drummond (Education Support Officer)
Date: Monday 9th February 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Venue: Micosoft Teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Gail Surgay (Education Support Officer)
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:
Date: Wednesday 15th October 2025
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officer)
Date: Tuesday 4th November 2025
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officer)
Date: Monday 19th January 2026
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officer)
Early Years EPEP Training
The purpose of this training is to raise awareness and understanding in respect to the requirements to promote, support and improve the educaton and learning of early years children in care through the PEP. The Nottingham City Virtual School uses an electronic PEP, this training will provide participants with knowledge and understanding of how the ePEP system works through a live demonstration of the ePEP portal. The training will also consider professionals’ statutory responsibilities in respect to PEPs.
Several sessions are available this academic year – attendees only need to attend one of those sessions.
Training Dates:
Date: Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Marcus Reid (Education Support Officer)
Date: Thursday 15th January 2026
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.
The training 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.
Our Education Officer for Children Previously-looked-after and/or in Kinship comes along to share updates, answer questions and signpost to useful resources and services for these cohorts.
Training Dates:
Date: Wednesday 12th November 2025
Time: 09:30 – 12:30
Venue: Loxley House/Host School – details to be confirmed
Virtual School staff leading the training: Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)
Date: Wednesday 6th May 2026
Time: 09:30 – 12:30
Venue: Microsoft Teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Kelley Bhagvanji (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.
Our Education Officer for Children Previously looked after and/or in Kinship comes along to share updates, answer questions and signpost to useful resources and services for these cohorts.
Training Dates:
Date: Wednesday 19th November 2025
Time: 09:30 – 12:00
Venue: Loxley House or Host School – details to be confirmed
Virtual School staff leading the session: Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)/Kaylie Thompson (Education Support Officer)
Date: Wednesday 25th February 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:30
Venue: Micosoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the session: Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)/Kaylie Thompson (Education Support Officer)
Date: Wednesday 3rd June 2026
Time: 09:30 – 12:00
Venue: Micosoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the session: Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)/Kaylie Thompson (Education Support Officer)
Social Worker Training – The Education of Children in Care
This training is appropriate for Social Workers and Family Support Workers.
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 Dates:
Date: Friday 3rd October 2025
Time: 09:30 – 11:30
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Marcus Reid (Education Support Officer)
Date: Tuesday 3rd February 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Karen Drummond (Education Support Officer)
Date: Wednesday 10th June 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Blossom Stephens (Education Support Officer)
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.
Nottingham City Council Fostering Team manage all bookings for this training – please contact Rhiannon Gray/Sarah Wilkinson on: 0115 8764821 or email: fostering.training@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to book onto this training.
Training Dates:
Date: Wednesday 5th November 2025
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Jackie Adams (Education Support Officer)
Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Venue: Microsoft teams
Virtual School staff leading the training: Karen Drummond (Education Support Officer)
Children’s Residential Training – the Education of Children in Care
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 mobile: 079399986594 or 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 and suspensions
– Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
– Pupil Premium Plus and other funding
– Transitions between schools and key stages
– Special educational needs and disabilities.
Please contact Kelley Bhagvanji. Interim Service Manager, on 07535 354961 or email thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk to discuss and book bespoke training specific to staff needs.
Bespoke Training Offer : Supporting Children Previously Looked After in Education
This training is designed for parents, guardians, carers, social workers, independent reviewing officers and education staff, focusing on the educational experiences of previously looked after children. The session covers the responsibilities for those working with this group in school, the role of the Virtual School, and practical strategies to help children thrive in education. Participants will also learn how to make effective use of available funding to support individual needs and will be signposted to key resources and local support networks. This training empowers professionals to work confidently in creating stable, nurturing learning environments and knowing how the Virtual School can support them.
We can tailor our training for your role, get in touch and we will be happy to support you.
To arrange training specific to previously looked after children please contact: Bethan Speirs-Davies on 07484512007 or email: thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Bespoke Training Offer : Supporting Children in Kinship Care in Education
This training is designed for parents, guardians, carers, social workers, independent reviewing officers and education staff, focusing on the educational experiences of children in Kinship care. The session covers the responsibilities for those working with this group in school, the role of the Virtual School, and practical strategies to help children thrive in education. Participants will be signposted to key resources and local support networks. This training empowers professionals to work confidently in creating stable, nurturing learning environments and knowing how the Virtual School can support them.
We can tailor our training for your role, get in touch and we will be happy to support you.
To arrange training please contact: Bethan Speirs-Davies on 07484512007 or email: 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/8bCtBVDBUS
If you are having problems accessing the online booking form, please contact the Virtual School via email: thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
NEW you can also book your training by scanning the QR code below:
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.
Once training has been requested, using the link, participants will receive a team’s invite a week prior to the training session taking place. Please do not forward this email on, you know colleagues who want to attend the training they must book individually via the link.
Cancellations
Places on our training are limited, it is therefore important you contact the Virtual School on 0115 8764692 or by emailing : thevirtualschool@nottinghamcity.gov.uk within 48 hours of the training taking place if you are unable to attend so we can release your place to another person.
We aim to always deliver training as scheduled, however, there may be rare occasions when we have to cancel training at short notice. In such incidents we will inform delegates as soon as possible before the date the training is due to be delivered. It is therefore important to provide a means of contact when booking training in case we need to get in touch.