Section 22(3B) of the Children Act 1989 requires every local authority in England to appoint at least one person to promote the educational achievement of its looked-after children. That person is the virtual school head. The "virtual school" is not a real school: it is the team that tracks and supports the authority's looked-after children across all the schools they attend.
KCSIE 2026 (paragraphs 241 to 246) says the VSH:
- manages pupil premium plus for looked-after children, and works with the designated teacher on how it is spent and on the child's PEP
- gives information and advice about previously looked-after children
- since June 2021 has had a non-statutory role in the strategic oversight of the attendance, attainment and progress of children with a social worker
- since September 2024 has had a non-statutory role in promoting the education of all children in kinship care.
KCSIE paragraph 237 says the DSL should have the name of the VSH in the authority that looks after each looked-after child on roll. A child placed in your area by another council is supported by that council's virtual school, not your local one, so check which authority is responsible.