Designated Teachers' Newsletter
Dear Colleagues,
Please find attached the first Designated Teacher update (pdf, 700kb) for the 2025/26 academic year from Oxfordshire’s Virtual School.
This termly publication provides updates, signposts, strategies, and ideas to support Designated Teachers working with children we care for and previously cared for children. Please feel free to share, print, and display as appropriate.
2025–26 Virtual School Training and Support Offer
Our comprehensive training and support offer for 2025–26 is now available to book via the Education Services website.
We look forward to your participation and encourage you to share this offer with colleagues who may benefit.
Induction Training for New Designated Teachers
Induction training is essential for new Designated Teachers and will take place on:
Wednesday 24 September, 1:00–3:00pm via Microsoft Teams
This session is aimed at DTs in Early Years, Primary, and Secondary settings.
Post-16 providers: please contact mark.walker@oxfordshire.gov.uk (Virtual School Post-16 Phase Lead) for personalised training. Additional induction sessions will be offered later in the year, and Link Workers are available to support in the meantime.
Important: ePEP Platform Change
All DTs—new and experienced—are asked to prioritise training on our new ePEP and attendance monitoring platform, managed by eGov Solutions Ltd. Our contract with Looked After Call/IRIS ended this summer, and we will transition to eGov on Tuesday 2 September.
You will receive login details and self-help guidance from eGov.
Live online training is scheduled for:
Wednesday 17 September, 3:30–4:30pm
Additional sessions will be arranged as needed. Please speak to your Link Worker if you require support.
2025 Virtual School Conference – Places Still Available
Thursday 16 October at Unipart House
Theme: Transforming Lives Through Human Connection – Empowering Care-Experienced Children to Achieve Their Dreams
Guest Speaker: Ashley John-Baptiste
Designated Teacher Practice Day – Spring Term
Following positive feedback, we have scheduled another DT Practice Day early in the Spring Term to continue building a community of support and practice.
This is a valuable opportunity to reflect, share experiences, and connect with others in similar roles. If you need support, please get in touch—we are happy to link you with others.
We Are Here to Support You
If you have any questions about children we care for or previously cared for children, please do not hesitate to contact us. Your work makes a vital difference, and we are here to help.
Thank you for everything you do to support our children and young people, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Improving outcomes for care-experienced children is a shared mission, and we are in this together.
We wish you a positive start to the 2025/26 academic year.
Best wishes
Oxfordshire Virtual School