Although we are unable to attend CIN and CP meetings or work directly with children and families; we are available to talk directly to social workers and advise them on any aspect of education. We will support social workers with the necessary knowledge and understanding of educational issues to enable them to challenge and work with schools effectively.
VSKAT can offer advice on educational issues to social workers working with young people aged 0-18. This can include advice and further signposting on:
- Attainment data
- Well-being of the young person
- What to ask schools to put in place to support the young person
- SEN processes
- Interventions and strategies for a school to consider when meeting the needs of the young person
- Attendance and exclusions
- Reduced Timetables
- Local area support systems, external organisations/activities that could support the young person.
Please refer to the Relational Approaches to Support School Belonging and Attendance Guide and Toolkit to help guide conversations with schools on practices and strategies that will support children and their families.
How to contact The Advisory team.
We offer Daily ‘Drop Ins’ between 9am and 10am during every school term. We also offer weekly ‘Drop Ins’ with KPAS and VSK and also for Post 16 advice. For information on how to access these, please email VSK@kent.gov.uk
If you wish to speak to a member of the VSKAT, please complete the Initial Contact Form to arrange a phone consultation. Please provide us with a brief summary of the information that you require and where the young person attends school, so that we can make sure the correct Education Support Officer contacts you at a mutually convenient time.
- VSKAT offer educational settings/Social Worker consultations with VSKAT and the Kent Education Psychology service. Please speak to the school and contact us for more information.
- VSKAT will highlight local projects and workstreams to social workers supporting children and families within the area. We will encourage joint working practices to support the cohort of children within each school and local area.