Oxfordshire Virtual School Conference 2026-Education as The Anchor: Building Stability and Futures for Every Child

This conference is dedicated to exploring how education can serve as a powerful anchor for care-experienced children and children with a social worker – providing stability, belonging and hope for the future.

With insights from our guest keynote speaker, input from the Virtual School Head on the evolving role of the Virtual School in light of national policy changes, and a dedicated session from Linda Culling, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector (Schools), South East on Ofsted and Inclusion: What Ofsted Expects for Vulnerable Learners, this event will bring together a rich and diverse range of perspectives.

Alongside reflective activities and contributions from children, young people and professionals across our partnership, we will explore the vital role education plays in providing continuity, strengthening relationships and laying the foundations for brighter futures.

We will also be joined by representative stallholders from key partner organisations, offering practical resources, insights and examples of best practice to support schools, social care teams and wider professionals in strengthening educational stability for vulnerable learners.

Relational practice will run as a central thread throughout the day, demonstrating how attuned, consistent and connection-focused approaches can transform a child’s experience of education. Our focus will be on practical strategies and approaches that help children navigate instability, disrupted learning and the effects of trauma – challenges that care-experienced children and children with a social worker too often face.

We hope attendees leave with renewed energy, clear and actionable insights, and a strengthened sense of shared purpose in their role as corporate parents.

Keynote Speaker

We are delighted to be joined by Louise Bombèr, whose renowned expertise in attachment-aware and trauma-responsive practice makes her uniquely placed to guide our reflections and inspire our work with children who need relational safety the most.

Booking Information

• Primary/Early Years settings will be entitled to 1 free space for their DT on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Secondary and FE settings will be entitled to up to 2 free spaces on a first-come-first-served basis.

Book a place via Oxfordshire Education Services

Tel: 03300 249046
Email: OxfordshireEducationServices@oxfordshire.gov.uk