Virtual Sch newsletter Autumn 12_PDF version - Staffordshire ...

Contact:
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www.education.staffordshire.gov.uk/lookedafterchildren The web page for Designated Teachers
Christopher Tyler: Headteacher, Virtual Looked After Children
Tel: 01785 854195. Email: christopher.tyler@staffordshire.gov.uk
Eamonn Fitzpatrick and Carole Faribrother: Newcastle and Moorlands District
Telephone: 01782 297524
Denise Grimshaw and Sam Brownless: Lichfield and Cannock District.
Telephone: 01543 512056
Paul Wilkie and Josie Suggate: Burton District. Telephone: 01283 239761
Arlene Gwyther: Stafford District. Telephone: 01785 356972
Meet the Virtual School Governing Body
Every school has a Govering Body and the virtual school for Looked After Children is no exception.
In future editions we will be introducing the members of the Governing Body to you. In this edition we
meet Julia Anderson. Julia is the county manager for Autism Outreach, Educational Psychology
Service and Portage.
Hello Julia,
Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed.
Could you tell me a little about your role within
Staffordshire County Council?
I am the County Manager for three services, the
Educational Psychology Service, Autism Outreach
Team (AOT) and Portage Service.
EPs support children and young people across the
county in a range of ways, for example helping to
find out what they may need to do well in school
and make friends, and helping them to cope with
difficult events, such as bullying.
The AOT helps children and young people with
autism.The Portage team work with very young
children at home with their families.
That’s very interesting…..what was the path that
led you to your current post?
I was born and brought up in Liverpool. I have
always been interested in people and what
makes them tick, so I went to university in
Manchester to get a degree in psychology.
I then qualified as a teacher and taught in
Tamworth and London. Eventually, I came back to
Birmingham and studied for a masters degree,
which meant I could become an educational
psychologist.
Personal Education
Allowance (PEA)Good Practice
PEP UPDATES
I have worked in Staffordshire ever since. I have
worked in every area of the county, it is so big that
there is lots of variety and I have had several
different roles..
Could you outline what sitting on the Governing
Body means to you?
I am really interested in finding out about the
experiences of children and young people, and
using their views to shape what we do. As a
psychologist, it is vital to hear about the things
young people have to cope with. I am frequently
impressed by the resilience and ingenuity they
show. It is also encouraging to see the
commitment of the other people on the Governing
Body and their willingness to overcome obstacles.
Why is it important that the Governing Body is in
place? It is very important that we listen to the
views of children and young people who are or
have been in care. It is also vital that we keep
looking at what we are doing and trying to make it
better. The Governing Body has a responsibility to
make sure that we are doing things as well as we
can in Staffordshire, that we are using the most up
to date research and working with the right
people.
Is there a particular piece of work which you are
particularly proud of or you feel you’d like to
mention? EPs work in all schools, so I feel my role
The Virtual School has placed a ‘good practice’ example
of a PEA (Personal Education Allowance) application
and the PEP (Personal Education Plan) to which it
relates, on The Virtual School web page in order to
support Social Workers to make PEA applications and
to keep Designated Teachers and Foster Carers
informed too. We are currently in the process of putting
together some further ‘good practice’ information with
regard to making PEA applications; which will also be
available on the Virtual School web page shortly.
www.education.staffordshire.gov.uk
PEP UPDATES
The Virtual School for Looked After Children in Staffordshire
with the Governing
Body is that of EP for
the Virtual School,
even though it doesn’t actually exist as bricks and
mortar. My team have offered training for staff and
carers on attachment, how to make everyone feel
as if they belong, and I think this is really
important.
What’s the best thing about your work
supporting the Governing Body of The Virtual
School? Meeting and hearing about very
successful young people who have experienced
the care system in Staffordshire and then come
back to make it better for others.
In your spare time do you have any hobbies or
interests you’d like to share with our readership?
I like to read and I make miniature teddy bears!!
Do you have any pets?
We have two very cunning cats, called Smudge and
Misty, who have complete control of the
household, including the kids.
Which is your favourite television soap or TV
programme? I love scary American programmes
like True Blood and Dexter.
When you last went on holiday – where did you
go? We went to Turkey last year and liked it so
much we are going again this year.
Foster Child
Friends and family are different
Other people bully me for who I am
Sisters are kind and help me through care
Talking to people when you need help
Error for when you make a mistake
Reading a book in English
Care is hard
Help when you need it
I feel sad for being in care
Love is all I get from family and foster family
Don’t know where I’m going so I
ask someone ‘What’s going on?’
By Charlotte Wood
Poem
Corner