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Local authorities have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of any child looked after by them. This includes a particular duty to promote the child’s educational achievements.

The National Association of Virtual School Heads exists to improve educational outcomes for looked after children by working with partners and commissioning research to ensure that the educational needs of looked after children are better understood. All local authorities in England are required to have a Virtual School Head.

The National Association of Virtual School Heads is a charity set up and run by a Board of Virtual School Heads to improve educational outcomes for looked after children by working with partners and commissioning research to ensure that the educational needs of looked after and previously looked after children are better understood.

Our charitable aims are:

  • Advance education for the public benefit in the care and education of looked after and previously looked after children
    and care leavers by the undertaking of research for the public benefit and the dissemination of the useful results
    thereof.
  • To promote the care and education of looked after children, previously looked after children and care leavers in
    particular, but not exclusively by, the provision of education and training for those employed in provision of care for
    looked after children.