Professional development opportunities

Information on our training available for Designated Teachers, PEP writers, Carers and Social Workers.

Designated Teachers and PEP writers

The training events provide you with an opportunity to develop links with the Virtual School and with other Designated Teachers (DT), as we work together to increase the progress Suffolk’s Children in Care make in school. Even if you currently have no Children in Care at your school, it is important that you stay up to date with processes and expectations should a child join you.

Ofsted is looking closely at the relationship schools have with the Virtual School and information gained at network meetings have proven useful to schools during the inspections. Education outcomes for Children in Care are a priority for Ofsted and inspectors have told us that they will be looking closely at how a school prioritises work with Children in Care when making inspection judgements.

Our DT network meetings typically take place on a termly basis. The aim of these sessions is to share good practices and updates regarding the education of Children in Care and to also enable DTs from different schools to establish links and to share experiences that will benefit each other’s work with Children in Care and Children Previously Looked After.

The network sessions are available to Personal Education Plan (PEP) writers and governors with Children in Care (CiC) and Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) oversight as well as DTs. 

As part of our rolling programme of virtual DT network meetings, please see the information below about our upcoming sessions – our aim with these virtual meetings is to check in with you and for us to offer any guidance and support you might require, for our Children in Care.

Bookings are now open for the autumn term professional development sessions. Please see schedule below and reserve your place. 

Autumn term 2026

Supporting the importance of welcome: Utilising tools to enhance trauma informed practice for our Children in Care

Presented by Psychology and Therapeutic Service

Tuesday 22 September 2026

  • 10am to 10.45am
  • 3.45pm to 4.30pm

EPEP check-in: Writing a high quality and effective education plan

Presented by Virtual School Team

Tuesday 29 September 2026 

  • 10am – 11am
  • 3.45pm – 4.45pm

ePEP check-in: Writing a high quality and effective education plan

This session is for anyone who was unable to attend the previous week’s session.

Presented by Virtual School Team

Tuesday 6 October 2026 

  • 10am – 11am
  • 3.45pm – 4.45pm

Effective use of pupil premium funding to improve outcomes

Presented by Virtual School Team

Tuesday 20 October 2026 

  • 10am – 10.45am
  • 3.45pm – 4.30pm

Speech and language support for Children in Care

Presented by Specialist Education Services 

Friday 13 November 2026 

  • 10am – 10.45am
  • 3.45pm – 4.30pm

Please reserve your place via the booking form.

Designated Teacher Award, Championing Children in Care

We are delighted to announce the launch of our Designated Teacher Award, Championing Children in Care. This unique, fully online postgraduate CPD programme is open to anyone interested in exploring and deepening their understanding of how to support children and young people with care experience. Developed in a collaboration between the University of Suffolk and Suffolk County Council’s Virtual School and Psychology and Therapeutic Services. For more information, please see our Designated Teacher Award postgraduate programme.

Online training resources

We offer online training packages, free of charge, to DTs. Access to these can be requested from the Virtual School office or via your Virtual School contact.

Recently, we have provided training via Education DESTY. Please also see the resources and links page for more information on online training.