Warwickshire’s looked after children in spotlight
An award ceremony has recognised the academic achievements of over 100 of the county’s looked after children.
Warwickshire County Council’s Virtual School for Children in Care hosted a presentation ceremony to celebrate the academic and personal achievements of children living in care.
The Virtual School for Children in Care has direct contact with children and young people in care as well as the various carers, social workers and education professionals who support their learning and development. It can also commission additional tutoring or any other service depending on budget and the child’s needs to support learning or social development.
Among those present were 13 year old Zoe and her younger brother Bobby who attended with foster parents Dean and Kim Brandrick who have been the permanent carers of the two children, along with older brother Joe, for the last five years.
Both children have made terrific strides since going to live with the Brandricks who have been fostering for 18 years. The Woodloes-based family have maintained relationships with several of the young people whom they have cared for; one, who recently left home to live independently around the corner, is a regular visitor to the family
The award ceremony was recognising the achievements of both of the youngsters. Zoe was attending to receive a certificate noting the outstanding progess she had made at school. The transition from primary to high school left the football loving youngster unfazed and she has continued to shine with excellent SAT levels.
“She’s been great,” Kim says. “She is a very bright girl and has taken to secondary school well. She is settled now, having lived with us for so long and attended one school for a long period and it is giving her the chance to shine, which she is.”
Bobby, affectionately referred to as a ‘livewire’ by his foster parents, has received a good deal of additional support from the Virtual School and grasped the opportunity with both hands. Two courses of tutoring after school, funded by the virtual school, helped him to make huge progress with maths and English and peer mentoring provided a calming influence.
Dean said: “He’s bright as a button and if he could speak his homework he’d have no trouble. But he stayed behind willingly after school to do extra tuition in maths and English and is doing well now.”
Kim is effusive in her praise of the virtual school, not only for its support to the children but also to the carers. She says:
“Obviously having fostered for as long as we have, we are reasonably independent in sorting out any difficulties that you inevitably face. But support is invaluable and the virtual school is at the end of the phone or an email away to provide advice and support on children’s rights, educational issues, accessing additional and appropriate help depending on what your child needs.”
Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Heather Timms, said: “This outstanding family is a tremendous example of partnerships coming together to work with families who are willing to accept help and make the most of any opportunities available that benefit the children in their care.
“The Brandricks and the children they care for are an absolute credit to the Virtual School and the principles it operates by.”