Virtual School - Clinical Psychology Led Education Support

Description

Liverpool Virtual School is looking to commission a psychology‑informed service to support workforce development and education practice. The service will help adults who work with children in care, previously looked‑after children and children with a social worker. It must be educational, not clinical, and based on trauma‑informed and attachment‑aware approaches. The aim is to help school staff, carers, social workers and Virtual School staff develop a shared understanding of how children learn, behave and engage in school. This understanding should be supported by clear psychological insight. The provider must be able to communicate with deep professional knowledge, in simple and professional terms, how trauma, disrupted attachment and lived care experiences affect a child's wellbeing, learning and participation. They should support adults to understand children's needs, improve systems, and plan education effectively. Advice must be practical, timely and easy to apply in meetings, plans and reviews. Because education planning is a key part of this work, it is helpful if the provider understands the role and duties of the Virtual School. Training and professional learning will be a major part of the service. It should be offered to schools, social care, and the Virtual School team, and delivered both online and in person. Training should cover trauma‑informed practice, relationships and regulation, attachment‑aware teaching, de‑escalation, co‑regulation and practical strategies.