What is a Virtual School for Children in Care?
The role of the Virtual School is to help improve the educational journey and outcomes for children in care, from early years to the end of Year 13. Support and guidance to care leavers maybe offered and also to the staff supporting them.
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 set out new duties for local authorities, maintained schools and academies, effective from September 2018. It has extended the role of virtual school heads and designated teachers to certain previously looked-after children. This is because these children may continue to experience educational challenges after leaving care. The new remit extends to those children with:
• Child arrangements orders
• Special Guardianship Orders (SGO)
• Adoption orders
Each Local Authority is required to have a Virtual School for Children in Care and Post Looked After Children, but sizes of teams will vary across the different geographical areas depending on the demographic. It is a statutory requirement that every Virtual School has a Virtual School Head.
The Virtual School Head is the statutory lead (Children and Families Act 2014) within the local authority. They have responsibility for ensuring that arrangements are in place to improve educational experiences and outcomes of looked after children and young people. This includes those placed outside of the county.
Services that maybe offered by the Virtual Schools for Looked After and Previously Looked After Children:
Provision of training for:
Schools, early years settings and Post 16 providers
Professional colleagues, for example social workers and foster carers
Support with and signposting to interventions and resources to improve learning
Advice, guidance and support to:
Schools, early years settings and Post 16 providers
Professional colleagues, for example social workers, foster carers
Children
Support and guidance for Personal Education Plans (PEPs)
Provision of out of school activities to support learning
Events that celebrate and recognise the achievements of children and young people.
Other News
AiMH UK AWARDS 2025 – THE WINNERS CIRCLE!
Celebrating 10 years of the AiMH UK Awards!
🎉Congratulations to our award winners, recognised for their outstanding contribution to infant mental health. Your commitment to advancing practice and supporting babies and families is truly inspiring.
AiMHigh Award: Rebecca Stewart
Louise Emanuel Award: Anna Adcock
Gwen Kirkwood Fellowship Awards: Julia Mills and FiveXMore
To read more about our winners click on title above.
AiMH UK Spring Workshop with Dr Ben Grey
Wednesday, 18th March 2025 09:30 – 13:00 ONLINE
'The Stories that Make us: Applying the Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) in Parent-Infant Practice'.
Led by Dr Ben Grey, developer of the MotC and author of the newly released The Meaning of the Child Interview: ‘Making Sense of Parent Child Relationships’ this workshop will outline the basic principles of the MotC and illustrate it's use in clinical practice with parents and infants.
The workshop will offer case examples, interview excerpts and videos to show how the approach can offer a practice path based on understanding parents’ perceptions of their infants
Lunchtime Skills Box Session with Rebecca Chilvers
Thursday 23rd April 1.00PM - 2.00PM
Supporting World Infant, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Day
Not alone in NICU: A Compassionate Companion for Parents of a baby in Neonatal Care’
Join Rebecca Chilvers, Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS and in independent practice for a powerful Skills Box session exploring the impact of the neonatal environment on babies and families, approaches that empower parents, and ways to support early relationships under stress. Learn how to help families navigate the transition into parenthood in NICU and make sense of their experiences as their baby grows.
🎁 Give a Gift of Student Membership this Christmas 🎄
Supporting the next generation of Early Childhood and Infant Mental Health professionals has never been more important—and now, you can make a meaningful difference with a simple, impactful gift for just £30.
Give a gift that truly makes a difference, for their future, and for the future of the families they will support.
AiMH UK Awards 2025! 🌟
We’re excited to announce the launch of the AiMH UK Awards 2025, celebrating outstanding contributions to the field of infant mental health! 🌟
These awards recognise individuals and teams who go above and beyond to support the emotional well-being of infants, young children, and their families. 💜
🏆 Know someone making a difference? Nominations are now open!
📅 Deadline: Sunday 8 February 2026
👉 Awards presented at: AiMH UK AGM & Awards 2026 with guest speaker – Wednesday 25 February 2026
For full information go to the AiMH UK Awards page
✨Today’s the Day! The AiMH UK National Conference is Here ✨
We’re excited to come together today for the AiMH UK National Conference, where practitioners, researchers, key workers and leaders in infant mental health unite to share knowledge, deepen understanding, and strengthen support for babies, young children, and their families.
This conference is a powerful reminder of why our work matters — building foundations for healthy relationships, resilience, and lifelong wellbeing.
Looking forward to a day of inspiring speakers, meaningful conversations, and connection across our community.
Let’s make it one to remember! 💛👶🧠
AiMH UK Autum Newsletter
AiMH UK Autumn Newsletter 2025
Discover the latest updates in the AiMH UK Autumn Newsletter! Packed with news, upcoming events, and latest IMH updates to support infant mental health professionals. Stay informed and connected with the AiMH community!
AiMH UK Newsletter – Summer Edition
Welcome to the AiMH UK Summer newsletter, where we share updates, insights and opportunities from across the infant mental-health field.
New Online Course: Babies in Mind – Why the Parent’s Mind Matters
Now 30% off for members!
AiMH UK, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, invites you to join this premium online course featured on the FutureLearn Website
The Fatherhood Institute – ‘Looking out for Dad’ Campaign
The Fatherhood Institute has launched an important new campaign, ‘Looking Out for Dad’, calling on the UK government to prioritise fathers’ health and well-being. Add your name to their letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting.
TODAYS THE DAY!
Announcing the AiMH UK Awards Winners!
A huge congratulations to all the winners!
Your dedication and invaluable contributions are making a profound impact on infant mental health and positively transforming the lives of families across the UK!
President Jane Barlow re-elected onto the 1001 Days Steering Group
The 1001 days movement is a group of organisations and professionals working together to campaign about the importance of the emotional wellbeing of babies.
Congratulations on your re-election - from All at AiMH UK
Become a
member
Join AiMH UK and your local hub to develop your knowledge, skills, and confidence, and access a wealth of specialist information on the AiMH UK website.
Sharing expertise on how we work with infants and their families increases the effectiveness of our work.
Team/Organisation Membership
Elevate your team’s commitment to infant mental health with our new Team Membership rate. Get all the benefits of our Qualified Professionals annual rate, at a discounted price per person. Available to 5 or more practitioners joining at the same time and working within a team or organisation.
Contact us to discuss other packages and discounts.
AIMH UK
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We’re using JustGiving, for donations to AiMH UK. Your donation enables us to continue our work, promoting the importance of infant mental health and making a real difference to improve outcomes for parents, babies and toddlers.
Thank you for making a difference!