The National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) is a charity set up and run by a board of Virtual School Heads. The charity's aim is to improve educational outcomes of looked after children by working with partners, and commissioning research to ensure that the educational needs of looked after and previously looked after children are better understood.
The NAVSH's charitable objectives are:
- advance education for the public benefit in the care and education of looked after children, previously looked after children, and care leavers, by the undertaking of research for the public benefit and the dissemination of the useful results thereof
- promote the care and education of looked after children, previously looked after children, and care leavers, in particular but not exclusively by, the provision of education and training for those employed in provision of care for looked after children
Priorities
The following are the research and improvement priorities of the National Association of Virtual School Heads:
- Establish The National Association of Virtual School Heads and links with key partners.
- Develop a robust means of measuring attainment and progress based on recent research demonstrating what impacts most on educational outcomes for children in care.
- Uphold high quality educational provision for all children in care.
- Research and develop best practice use of Pupil Premium Plus to maximise its impact.
- Support schools to implement the NICE Guidance on Attachment.
- Promote engagement with Children in Care Councils and ensure the voice of children in care and care leavers is at the centre of our work.
- Support the ongoing professional development of Virtual School Heads, Designated Teachers and other professionals working with children in care.
Taken from the NAVSH website.
NAVSH documents
- A framework for evaluating the effectiveness of the school’s provision for children in care
- The constitution of the National Association of Virtual School Heads
Further information
- The National Association of Virtual School Heads website
- Statutory guidance on adoption for local authorities
- The Adoption and Care Planning (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014
- The Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010
- The Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations (volume 2: care planning, placement and case review)