The Staffordshire Virtual School team won Innovation of the Year at the Staffordshire Innovation Awards 2024 with their fantastic film ‘Misunderstood’.
The film highlights the impact of bullying and care experience on young people. The Children in Care Council, a group of young people in care who help to inform care policy, identified bullying and feeling misunderstood as an ongoing problem in schools.
The Virtual School team wanted to produce an educational tool to support the work of The Voice Project, a team responsible for listening to the views of families, parents, carers, children and young people.
We know that children in care are influenced by social factors, and wanted to break down some of the barriers to social exclusion by exploring and exposing the way they feel, and explaining the steps adults can take to help and support them.
Making school environments a safe space and enhancing the support in them can only improve the outcomes for care experienced young people.
Ultimately, we want all our children to prosper, be healthy and happy.
The team commissioned VAMOS, a specialist production company, to help make a film about our children’s experiences to use for training and development.
As we wanted to find a creative way to include our children in the film and highlight the importance of non-verbal interactions, they came up with the idea of using masks throughout. Our children led the way; writing, performing, and contributing to the production of the final product.
Check out the recent press coverage of our award winning film, Misunderstood
Click here to view a short excerpt of the film.
The full film and resource pack for schools can be requested by emailing virtual.school@staffordshire.gov.uk.
ARC Attachment research community
Learning starts with attachment. Attachment theory explains how children build an internal working model of themselves and the world through relationships. Trauma, abuse, neglect, separation and bereavement have adverse effects, which means the child and adult's sense of safety and relationships need to be rebuilt in order for them to learn.
For more information visit the Attachment Research Community.
Internet Safety
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) - It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about online safety. From setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps, we can help you to understand the risks and keep your child safe.
Safety Net Kids - To be safe means to be comfy and not scared. To do things like standing up to bullies without being mean, listening to our bodies as they are clever at spotting danger.
Childnet - Welcome to Childnet International, a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
Rees Centre for research in fostering and education
The Rees Centre aim to improve the education, wellbeing and life outcomes of those who are, or have been supported by children’s social care services, with a focus on children in need (including those in care), adoptive and special guardianship families and care experienced adults.
Education Endowment Foundation
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.
National Association of Virtual School Heads
The National Association of Virtual School Heads promotes the education of looked-after children and previously looked-after children.
The Fostering Network
The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity. They are the essential network for fostering, bringing together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children. They champion fostering and seek to create vital change so that foster care is the very best it can be.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
NICE provides guidelines that cover the identification, assessment and treatment of attachment difficulties in children and young people up to age 18 who are adopted from care, in special guardianship, looked after by local authorities in foster homes (including kinship foster care), residential settings and other accommodation, or on the edge of care.
Department for Education (DfE)
The Department for Education provides advice and support for looked after children.
Staffordshire SEND Local Offer
The Local Offer aims to bring together useful information across education, health and social care within one website. You can find information, advice and guidance and a range of local service providers who support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board
Key information on arrangements for Safeguarding Children in Staffordshire and includes procedures, guidance and training for professionals.
Foundations: What Works for Children and Families
Explore research and evidence about what works to promote outcomes for vulnerable children.