The Virtual School has a strategic leadership role to improve educational outcomes for all children with a social worker, including those with Child Protection and Child in Need plans.

We are focusing particularly on improving attendance and reducing exclusions for these children.

This strategic role primarily involves advice and guidance to professionals working directly with these children. This includes: social workers, designated safeguarding leads and wider professionals.

Following the success of our current ‘bitesize’ online training offer, several schools, services, and settings have expressed interest in full team training sessions as an alternative to our existing modules, which are primarily aimed at safeguarding professionals.

In response, we are pleased to offer team training sessions—either in person or online—available for booking from September. Each session lasts 30 minutes but can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your team upon request.

If you would like to book a session for your team, please contact:

Scott Johnson

📧 Scott_Johnson@sandwell.gov.uk

Rachael Wolffel

📧 Rachael_Wolffel@sandwell.gov.

Available training topics include:

The Impact of Trauma on Learners

Good Practice to Improve Attendance for Vulnerable Learners

Understanding Foetal Alcohol Syndrome

Supporting Previously Looked-After Children (PLAC)

Upcoming Breakfast Networking dates:

In addition, following the positive feedback from our first Breakfast Networking event, we will now be holding these once per term. These events will explore current topics and provide a forum for sharing good practice.

Wednesday 12th November 2025 (8:45am – 11:00am)

Wednesday 4th March 2026 (8:45am – 11:00am)

Wednesday 1st July 2026 (8:45am – 11:00am)

Booking details for each event will be shared closer to the date.

If you would like to discuss any of the training sessions or book a session for your team, please contact Scott or Rachael on the emails above.