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:      Tuesday 15 October 2024

Time:     13:30 – 15:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officer)

Date:      Monday 13 January 2025

Time:      09:30 – 11:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Aidan Sisson (Education Support Officer)

Date:      Wednesday 30 April 2025

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 8 October 2024

Time:     13:30 – 15:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Marcus Reid (Education Support Officer)

Date:      Thursday 23 January 2025

Time:     15:00 – 17:00

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Marcus Reid (Education Support Officer)

Date:      Friday 16 May 2025

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.

Training Dates:        

Date:      Tuesday 14 January 2025

Time:     09:30 – 12:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:   Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)

Date:      Tuesday 20 May 2025

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.

Training Dates:

Date:      Tuesday 14 January 2025

Time:     13:30 – 15:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the session:  Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)

Date:      Tuesday 20 May 2025

Time:     13:30 – 15:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the session:  Kelley Bhagvanji (Interim Service Manager)

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 18 October 2024

Time:     10:00 – 12:00

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Blossom Stephens and Karen Drummond (Education Support Officers)

Date:      Tuesday 4 February 2025

Time:     13:30 – 15:30

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Marcus Reid and Gail Surgay (Education Support Officers)

Date:      Tuesday 10 June 2025

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. 

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 6 November 2024

Time:     10:00 – 12:00

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Gail Surgay and Jackie Adams (Education Support Officers)

Date:      Thursday 15 May 2025

Time:     10:00 – 12:00

Venue:   Microsoft teams

Virtual School staff leading the training:  Kaylie Thompson and Blossom Stephens (Education Support Officers)

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.