The Corporate Parenting Board of Croydon Council was scheduled to discuss the Virtual School's Annual Report for 2024-2025, focusing on educational outcomes for children in care. The meeting was also set to include updates from the Children's Participation Team and Children in Care Council, and feedback from practitioners and ambassadors.

Virtual School Annual Report 2024-2025

The meeting was scheduled to receive the Croydon Virtual School's Annual Report for the academic year 2024-2025. This report covers the educational progress of children aged 2 to 19, and up to 25 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The report details attainment analysis, impact assessments, and future priorities. The Virtual School's responsibilities extend beyond children in care to include strategic support for previously looked-after children, those in kinship care, and children who have had a social worker in the last six years.

Key highlights from the report for the 2024-2025 academic year included a reduction in the number of days lost to suspensions, robust advocacy to prevent exclusions, and a more timely application of the Attendance Strategy for early intervention. The report indicated largely positive achievement at Key Stage 1 and 2, with a marked increase in the proportion of young people attaining GCSE grades 9–4, including in English and maths. Targeted support was provided for post-16 students engaged in education, as well as for those not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

The report noted a significant increase in diagnosed and unmet Special Educational Needs (SEN) among children and young people. In response, the Virtual School team strengthened its SEN expertise through targeted training and adopted a more proactive advocacy role. This included supporting the completion of Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) and improving access to provision, particularly for children not on a school roll. The team also increased its presence at Annual Reviews.

The report highlighted a 12-week holistic intervention programme for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) and other displaced children and young people, which included core subjects, counselling, and preparation for their next educational steps.

The Corporate Parenting Board was recommended to agree the report and review the progress and key priorities for the Virtual School. A further recommendation was to develop work with children who have a social worker, deepening data analysis and strengthening responses to findings.

Update from Children's Participation Team & Children in Care Council

A verbal update was scheduled to be received from the Children's Participation Team and the Children in Care Council. This would provide information on their activities and perspectives.

Feedback from Practitioners and Ambassadors

The board was also scheduled to receive verbal feedback from practitioners and ambassadors. This feedback was intended to share examples of the development of opportunities and success stories of young people's achievements.

Terms of Reference

The meeting was scheduled to review the current Terms of Reference of the Corporate Parenting Board. These terms outline the board's purpose and objectives, which include supporting and making recommendations on matters related to corporate parenting, and advising, guiding, and providing leadership to Croydon Council on issues concerning looked-after children, care-experienced young people, and its corporate parenting responsibilities. The terms also detail the board's membership, meetings, and access to information.

Performance Report

A performance report was listed on the agenda, but no details were available in the provided documents.

Urgent Business

The agenda included a provision for urgent business, should any arise, to be considered if deemed necessary by the Chair due to special circumstances.

Update on actions agreed at previous meeting(s)

An update on actions agreed at previous meetings was also scheduled to be presented.

The meeting was also to address standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, the minutes of the previous meeting, and disclosures of interest. A motion to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting for specific items was also on the agenda.