Kinship Local Offer

The Virtual School

The Virtual School in the London Borough of Southwark plays a vital role in supporting the educational outcomes of kinship children. The Virtual School Headteacher is responsible for ensuring advice and guidance is given to carers and children receive appropriate educational assistance to best meet their needs. 

Contact the Virtual School Headteacher, Usha Singh: 

• phone: 020 7525 4076
• email usha.singh@southwark.gov.uk
• email virtualschool@southwark.gov.uk  

Pupil Premium Plus (PP+)

£2,570 per child is paid directly to schools for a variety of support to be chosen with the school-designated teacher:   

• eligibility: For children who were previously in care of the local authority
• Carers must inform the school with evidence that they are caring for a kinship child
• evidence is provided by the Special Guardian and Connected Carers Team
• email sgoconnectedpersons@southwark.gov.uk
• call 020 7525 1762 

For more information about the PP+ email virtualschool@southwark.gov.uk.

Designated teachers  

Help kinship carers to participate in discussions about their child’s support needs and strategies to meet identified needs, including how Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) can be used to support their child. They can also provide an induction for children starting school or new to a school 

• eligibility is for children who were previously in care of the local authority
• email virtualschool@southwark.gov.uk.

School admissions  

Children who have previously been in care are given top priority in school admissions and should be placed in good or outstanding schools. 

Children formerly looked after and those in formal kinship care arrangements can secure a place through the Fair Access Protocol for vulnerable children: 

• eligibility: for Formerly Looked After Children and those in formal kinship care arrangements
• access is through the Southwark Schools Admissions Team
• email schools.admissions@southwark.gov.uk
• call 020 7525 5337 

Higher education

The Higher Government Bursary for Students in Vulnerable Groups is for young people who need financial support to stay on in further education or training. The bursary can cover things like meals, books and transportation: 

• eligibility: for 16- to 19-year-olds who were previously in care of the local authority
• apply through the school, college or training provider 

Local offer for children with special educational needs

• eligibility: Kinship children with special educational needs and disabilities
• access: view the SEND local offer page for more details