Blog
Post 16 VSK Awards 2025
In July, we held our Annual 16+ Awards Celebration, a brilliant evening dedicated to recognising and celebrating the achievements of Kent’s young people in care aged 16+, as well as our amazing Kent Care Leavers.
UK Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme
Care Leaver Internship - apply before 11:55pm on Friday 25th July 2025.<p>The award-winning Care Leaver Internship Scheme is designed to serve as a launchpad for young people leaving care, helping them build essential skills and gain valuable experience at the beginning of their careers.</p>
Refugee Week 2025
On the 18th June, The Participation Team attended Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Refugee Week- Community as a Superpower.<p></p>
Regional Children in Care Council April 2025
On Wednesday 9th April, Kent’s Children in Care Councils, OCYPC and YAC, hosted the first ever South East Regional Children in Care Council at the Malling School near Maidstone. They were joined for a fun filled day of activities by Children in Care Councils from Bracknell Forest, Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead, Medway and West Sussex, all of whom are passionate about ensuring the voices of young people in care are heard!
OCYPC Magic Council Meeting April 2025
Within our OCYPC Magic meetings, our focus has been on supporting the young people to develop their independent life skills in a practical, meaningful way. We had a meeting where our Magic Council Group members shared what life skills they would like to grow more confident in, especially when thinking about when they move onto independent living and adulthood.
No Limits Conference
On March 12th, VSK held an event at the Detling Showground called the ‘No Limits Conference’. The event was well attended by care experienced children and young people from various schools throughout the county. The keynote speech was delivered by Ashley John-Baptiste, a BBC journalist and care leaver, and the day ended with a performance by Tangled Feet, which focused on the challenges of growing up in care.
Visit to the Parliament
On Monday 17th February, we were fortunate enough to meet with members of other South East Children in Care Councils for a conversation with Janet Daby, Minister for Children and Families, and a tour of Parliament. Young people from Bracknell, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and Kent joined together in discussion with the Minister to explore issues affecting children in care and advocate for other care-experienced children.
Listen Up!
Listen Up! is a training session and short film created by members of our three older Children in Care Councils. Young people came together to plan and prepare the session about the importance of listening to them and involving them in decisions about their own lives.
Local Offer for Care Leavers 2024
The Local Offer for Care Leavers is meant to support young people make the transition from being in care to independence. It is a document that provides information about what support young people are eligible for, what they can expect from KCC and what KCC expects from them. The Local Offer explains all the assistance young people can get.
Summer Holidays 2023
This Summer has been action packed, full of fun activities and events for our young people!
Post 16 Awards 2023
On Tuesday 25th July, the Participation Team alongside the VSK Post 16 Team were delighted to welcome just over 150 young people and their guests, as well as senior KCC staff and elected members, to our annual Post 16 Awards Celebration.
New Youth Forum for Young People With SEND
We are delighted to advise that a new and exciting SEND youth forum has been set up for young people with SEND, where they can enjoy social time with others in similar situations, make friendships, play games and take part in fun activities. This new group will run in addition to our existing Young People’s Councils.
May Half Term
Despite there been only four days this May Half Term, it was still filled with fun activities and meetings for the Participation Team and all of our children and young people.
We started off the week with our adopted children at Lower Grange Farm near Maidstone, where we had a fun day filled with Pedal Carts, Foot Golf, Bushcraft and Climbing.
YAC Extra
On Thursday 20th April, the Participation Team successfully held the first meeting for YAC Extra. This is a group for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People to share their views and opinions about how Kent County Council supports them, suggesting improvements and making a positive difference for all young people in care and care experienced.
Easter Half Term
It has been another busy Easter Half Term for the Participation Team!
We kicked off the holidays with the under 5s at Little Street in Maidstone. The miniature roleplay town allowed the children to let their imaginations run wild and we had police officers, fire fighters and builders all playing happily together. On the same day, a group of Young People aged 16+ joined the Participation Team for some epic fun high in the treetops at the Go Ape course at Leeds Castle.
Fabruary Half term
For this first school break of 2023, the Participation Team organised lots of new and exciting activities and events.
We’ve started the week with an African Music Workshop, where our children learnt how to make their own instrument and decorate it. They also got to play some traditional African drums and participate in lots of games.
Focus Groups
Just before Christmas, the Participation Team, alongside staff from the Social Connections Service and Early Help Teams, met with a group of young people to speak about their meetings with workers and their involvement in their own planning.
One-to-One Support Project
One of the most fulfilling parts of working in the Participation Team is supporting Young People one-to-one during their time in care.
Last October, two of our apprentices had the chance to work on a project that involved making a short film about a young person’s experience in care.
VSK Christmas Parties
The VSK Christmas Parties were a huge success this year! Both parties were well attended with 75 children at the Children in Care Christmas Party and 85 children at the Adoption Christmas Party.
Pre 16 Awards
This year, the Virtual School Kent Pre 16 awards took place at Kingswood Activity Centre in Ashford. It was great to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our Young People, with lots of activities organised for them, including outdoor activities, arts and crafts, games and even snake handling!
Children WHO Care Council
October is Sons and Daughters Month. We want to celebrate the important role that children of foster carers play in a fostering home.
There’s no better time than now to come along and find out what our Children WHO Care council is about!
Participation and Well-being in Residential Care Survey
Are you living in or having recently lived in a children’s home or semi-independent accommodation?
Are you between 14 and 21 years old?
We invite you to fill out this online survey.
Countywide Children in Care Council
This year, we opened our summer holiday activities with the Countywide Children in Care Council meeting, which took place on Tuesday 26th of July.
Pets and changing homes: the views of care experienced children/young people
This new study by the University of Edinburgh (independent of Lifelong Links) aims to understand the importance of pets to children and young people, and the effects of moving homes on these relationships.
Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme
The Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme will be opening for applications on 8 August on Civil Service Jobs, and closing on 5th of September. The scheme provides care leavers aged between 18-30 years with 12-month paid opportunities to experience working in a government department.
Ocean Youth Trust Trip
The Ocean Youth Trust is a voluntary organisation that aims to give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to “learn the ropes” (quite literally) of sailing.
Easter Half Term Activity Days
During this Easter Half Term, the Participation Team has been busy with lots of activities for children and young people. We’ve tried to offer a variety of choices to meet the needs and interests of every child involved.
The Young Local Authority of the Year Competition
The Young Local Authority of the Year Competition is a public speaking competition. The competition is held every year in Lancaster and local authorities, like Kent County Council, will send teams to represent them. We represented Kent County Council this year as Apprentice Participation Workers for Virtual School Kent, and from 9th-11th of March, we presented 3 speeches alongside 22 other teams from local authorities all over England, including one other team from Kent.
VSK’s journey towards becoming a Nurturing Virtual School
Our Children and Young people have made a short film with the support of VSK’s Participation and Engagement Team to show what they think about Nurture and our 6 principles. The young people feel these are important principles that all practitioners should work towards.
SEND Co-production Charter
Our Children in Care alongside other young people have supported the creation of Kent’s co-production charter for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
VSK are very proud to announce that we are well on the way to achieving The National Nurturing School Programme Award! (NNSP)
Virtual School Kent are working hard to incorporate Nurture principles into our work with young people.
Accessing Computers and Internet at KCC Libraries
To support you with your education, we want to let you know that KCC has now opened 12 libraries for bookshelf browsing and borrowing, pre-bookable computers and WiFi sessions.
Starting College or University?
Going to College or University can be a very difficult time in anyone’s life. It can be unsettling and can require a complete change in routine, but it doesn’t have to be like that. Whether you’re deciding to go to college or choosing what university is best for you, don’t leave yourself in the dark!
Finding Accommodation as a Care Leaver
Moving on from Social Services accommodation is a big step, and you might have concerns about finding somewhere to live. Your Personal Advisor (PA) will be able to go through your options with you.
Why go to a University or College Open Day?
Making decisions about your future can be confusing whether you are in Year 11, Year 13 or considering a return to education or training after a break. Sixth form, college, university, apprenticeships, the world of work…the possibilities can sometimes seem endless! But help is at hand!
Blog
Post 16 VSK Awards 2025
In July, we held our Annual 16+ Awards Celebration, a brilliant evening dedicated to recognising and celebrating the achievements of Kent’s young people in care aged 16+, as well as our amazing Kent Care Leavers.
UK Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme
Care Leaver Internship - apply before 11:55pm on Friday 25th July 2025.<p>The award-winning Care Leaver Internship Scheme is designed to serve as a launchpad for young people leaving care, helping them build essential skills and gain valuable experience at the beginning of their careers.</p>
Refugee Week 2025
On the 18th June, The Participation Team attended Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Refugee Week- Community as a Superpower.<p></p>
Regional Children in Care Council April 2025
On Wednesday 9th April, Kent’s Children in Care Councils, OCYPC and YAC, hosted the first ever South East Regional Children in Care Council at the Malling School near Maidstone. They were joined for a fun filled day of activities by Children in Care Councils from Bracknell Forest, Reading, Windsor and Maidenhead, Medway and West Sussex, all of whom are passionate about ensuring the voices of young people in care are heard!
OCYPC Magic Council Meeting April 2025
Within our OCYPC Magic meetings, our focus has been on supporting the young people to develop their independent life skills in a practical, meaningful way. We had a meeting where our Magic Council Group members shared what life skills they would like to grow more confident in, especially when thinking about when they move onto independent living and adulthood.
No Limits Conference
On March 12th, VSK held an event at the Detling Showground called the ‘No Limits Conference’. The event was well attended by care experienced children and young people from various schools throughout the county. The keynote speech was delivered by Ashley John-Baptiste, a BBC journalist and care leaver, and the day ended with a performance by Tangled Feet, which focused on the challenges of growing up in care.
Visit to the Parliament
On Monday 17th February, we were fortunate enough to meet with members of other South East Children in Care Councils for a conversation with Janet Daby, Minister for Children and Families, and a tour of Parliament. Young people from Bracknell, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and Kent joined together in discussion with the Minister to explore issues affecting children in care and advocate for other care-experienced children.
Listen Up!
Listen Up! is a training session and short film created by members of our three older Children in Care Councils. Young people came together to plan and prepare the session about the importance of listening to them and involving them in decisions about their own lives.
Local Offer for Care Leavers 2024
The Local Offer for Care Leavers is meant to support young people make the transition from being in care to independence. It is a document that provides information about what support young people are eligible for, what they can expect from KCC and what KCC expects from them. The Local Offer explains all the assistance young people can get.
Summer Holidays 2023
This Summer has been action packed, full of fun activities and events for our young people!
Post 16 Awards 2023
On Tuesday 25th July, the Participation Team alongside the VSK Post 16 Team were delighted to welcome just over 150 young people and their guests, as well as senior KCC staff and elected members, to our annual Post 16 Awards Celebration.
New Youth Forum for Young People With SEND
We are delighted to advise that a new and exciting SEND youth forum has been set up for young people with SEND, where they can enjoy social time with others in similar situations, make friendships, play games and take part in fun activities. This new group will run in addition to our existing Young People’s Councils.
May Half Term
Despite there been only four days this May Half Term, it was still filled with fun activities and meetings for the Participation Team and all of our children and young people.
We started off the week with our adopted children at Lower Grange Farm near Maidstone, where we had a fun day filled with Pedal Carts, Foot Golf, Bushcraft and Climbing.
YAC Extra
On Thursday 20th April, the Participation Team successfully held the first meeting for YAC Extra. This is a group for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People to share their views and opinions about how Kent County Council supports them, suggesting improvements and making a positive difference for all young people in care and care experienced.
Easter Half Term
It has been another busy Easter Half Term for the Participation Team!
We kicked off the holidays with the under 5s at Little Street in Maidstone. The miniature roleplay town allowed the children to let their imaginations run wild and we had police officers, fire fighters and builders all playing happily together. On the same day, a group of Young People aged 16+ joined the Participation Team for some epic fun high in the treetops at the Go Ape course at Leeds Castle.
Fabruary Half term
For this first school break of 2023, the Participation Team organised lots of new and exciting activities and events.
We’ve started the week with an African Music Workshop, where our children learnt how to make their own instrument and decorate it. They also got to play some traditional African drums and participate in lots of games.
Focus Groups
Just before Christmas, the Participation Team, alongside staff from the Social Connections Service and Early Help Teams, met with a group of young people to speak about their meetings with workers and their involvement in their own planning.
One-to-One Support Project
One of the most fulfilling parts of working in the Participation Team is supporting Young People one-to-one during their time in care.
Last October, two of our apprentices had the chance to work on a project that involved making a short film about a young person’s experience in care.
VSK Christmas Parties
The VSK Christmas Parties were a huge success this year! Both parties were well attended with 75 children at the Children in Care Christmas Party and 85 children at the Adoption Christmas Party.
Pre 16 Awards
This year, the Virtual School Kent Pre 16 awards took place at Kingswood Activity Centre in Ashford. It was great to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our Young People, with lots of activities organised for them, including outdoor activities, arts and crafts, games and even snake handling!
Children WHO Care Council
October is Sons and Daughters Month. We want to celebrate the important role that children of foster carers play in a fostering home.
There’s no better time than now to come along and find out what our Children WHO Care council is about!
Participation and Well-being in Residential Care Survey
Are you living in or having recently lived in a children’s home or semi-independent accommodation?
Are you between 14 and 21 years old?
We invite you to fill out this online survey.
Countywide Children in Care Council
This year, we opened our summer holiday activities with the Countywide Children in Care Council meeting, which took place on Tuesday 26th of July.
Pets and changing homes: the views of care experienced children/young people
This new study by the University of Edinburgh (independent of Lifelong Links) aims to understand the importance of pets to children and young people, and the effects of moving homes on these relationships.
Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme
The Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme will be opening for applications on 8 August on Civil Service Jobs, and closing on 5th of September. The scheme provides care leavers aged between 18-30 years with 12-month paid opportunities to experience working in a government department.
Ocean Youth Trust Trip
The Ocean Youth Trust is a voluntary organisation that aims to give disadvantaged young people the opportunity to “learn the ropes” (quite literally) of sailing.
Easter Half Term Activity Days
During this Easter Half Term, the Participation Team has been busy with lots of activities for children and young people. We’ve tried to offer a variety of choices to meet the needs and interests of every child involved.
The Young Local Authority of the Year Competition
The Young Local Authority of the Year Competition is a public speaking competition. The competition is held every year in Lancaster and local authorities, like Kent County Council, will send teams to represent them. We represented Kent County Council this year as Apprentice Participation Workers for Virtual School Kent, and from 9th-11th of March, we presented 3 speeches alongside 22 other teams from local authorities all over England, including one other team from Kent.
VSK’s journey towards becoming a Nurturing Virtual School
Our Children and Young people have made a short film with the support of VSK’s Participation and Engagement Team to show what they think about Nurture and our 6 principles. The young people feel these are important principles that all practitioners should work towards.
SEND Co-production Charter
Our Children in Care alongside other young people have supported the creation of Kent’s co-production charter for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
VSK are very proud to announce that we are well on the way to achieving The National Nurturing School Programme Award! (NNSP)
Virtual School Kent are working hard to incorporate Nurture principles into our work with young people.
Accessing Computers and Internet at KCC Libraries
To support you with your education, we want to let you know that KCC has now opened 12 libraries for bookshelf browsing and borrowing, pre-bookable computers and WiFi sessions.
Starting College or University?
Going to College or University can be a very difficult time in anyone’s life. It can be unsettling and can require a complete change in routine, but it doesn’t have to be like that. Whether you’re deciding to go to college or choosing what university is best for you, don’t leave yourself in the dark!
Finding Accommodation as a Care Leaver
Moving on from Social Services accommodation is a big step, and you might have concerns about finding somewhere to live. Your Personal Advisor (PA) will be able to go through your options with you.
Why go to a University or College Open Day?
Making decisions about your future can be confusing whether you are in Year 11, Year 13 or considering a return to education or training after a break. Sixth form, college, university, apprenticeships, the world of work…the possibilities can sometimes seem endless! But help is at hand!