Harrow Virtual School for: Children with a Social Worker (CWSW)

Harrow Virtual School for Children With a Social Worker (CWSW)

In September 2021 the role of Virtual Schools was extended across the country to include all children with a social worker.

The Virtual School aims to narrow the gap for some of the most vulnerable children in our local authority. Previously, this referred to Children Looked After, and those on a special guardianship order. However it now includes:

  • school children on a child protection plan
  • a child in need plan
  • children under kinship arrangements

These children are referred to as children with a social worker or CWSW.

What the Virtual School aims to do to support Harrow’s CWSW

The national priorities

Virtual Schools will:

  • Make visible the disadvantages that CWSW children can experience, enhancing partnerships between education settings and local authorities to help all agencies hold high aspirations for these children. 
  • Promote practice that supports children’s engagement in education. To recognise that attending an education setting can help protect children from harm. 
  • Improve children’s outcomes and narrow the attainment gap, so that every child can reach their potential. This includes supporting CWSW children in their recovery from the impact of  COVID-19. 

Our local priorities

  • Quality assure the support given to CWSW in Harrow schools.
  • Strengthen the partnership between social care and schools. This will support better and quicker communication with effective information sharing.
  • Ensure that all CWSW young people have regular opportunities to deepen their learning. Both during and outside the school day.
  • Support CWSW pupils to maximise their potential. With a minimal expectation of meeting reading, writing and maths standards.
  • Increase the percentage of schools that achieve Achievement Champion status.
  • Provide CWSW pupils with advocacy for their decision-making and support needs.
  • Empower social care colleagues to hold schools to account. With focus on:
    • pupil behaviour
    • attendance
    • attainment
    • curriculum
    • the quality of their support