How we support previously looked after children
Newham Virtual School has a role in promoting the education of children and young people who are previously looked after and who are subject to an adoption order, a special guardianship order (SGO) or child arrangement order. We provide advice and guidance to schools in supporting these young people as they transition and move through the education system, providing continuity and expertise when it really matters.
Care Leavers: Support with education, training and employment
NVS Employment, Education and Training (EET) workers monitor and support the progress and attainment of care leavers into adulthood.
They hold weekly workshops which offers care leavers the opportunity to get together socially and have a voice in their ongoing development.
In partnership with agencies such as Our Newham Work, UEL, Moneyhouse and many more; workshops have been delivered on topics such as money management, CV writing, poetry, university entrance and mental health.
Following these workshops, members of the EET team support young people to attend Our Newham Work, to get into work or apprenticeships, move forward with university application, work or training.
There are also support links for help with issues such as financial difficulty.
Structure and continuity
The challenges of making your way without structured family support continue into adulthood. For example, one young person on completing her University degree found the continuing offer of support and guidance invaluable, as she struggled to find work after full time education
There are a variety of different interventions available to young people who are NEET from 18 but also to those who are at risk of becoming NEET - not in education, employment or training. There are many reasons that some young people feel unable to engage. For example parenting, prison, mental health difficulties or disability.
The NVS EET and Leaving Care team undertake targeted interventions to reduce the number of young people.
For example, through individual direct work with the young person to help remove barriers to progress and short courses. Some of these short courses have led on to longer-term training or apprenticeships.