Making Every Pound Count: How Welfare Call’s ePEP Optimises Pupil Premium Plus Funding
Virtual School Heads play a vital role in ensuring that looked-after children (CLA) achieve the best possible educational outcomes. A key tool in this effort is Pupil Premium Plus (PP+), funding designed to provide additional support and close the attainment gap for these vulnerable young people. But effectively tracking, measuring, and evidencing the impact of […]
Protecting the Sector: Why Free Use of the Term “ePEP” Matters for Virtual Schools
At Welfare Call, our mission has always been to support Virtual Schools and Local Authorities in delivering the best outcomes for looked-after children. That’s why, when the term “ePEP” – a widely recognised and vital part of our shared language – became trademark-restricted by a single private supplier, we knew we had to act. I’m […]
Join Us at the Welfare Call 2025 Annual Forum: Shaping the Future Together
At Welfare Call, we believe that the best solutions are built with our customers, not just for them. That’s why we are delighted to invite our valued colleagues and partners to the Welfare Call 2025 Annual Forum — an invitation-only event for our customers and users designed to share knowledge, spark ideas, and shape the […]
What We Can Learn from Sweden’s Covid Strategy: The Importance of Keeping Schools Open
The pandemic disrupted education worldwide, with school closures leaving a profound legacy. In the UK, children faced learning loss, mental health challenges, and social isolation. But Sweden took a different path, keeping most schools open throughout. This decision provides valuable insights into how we might prioritise school attendance in any future crisis. Sweden’s Covid policy focused […]
The Extended Role of the Virtual School Head in Kinship Care
Last month saw Kinship Care Week (7 – 13 October 2024), an opportunity to raise awareness about the amazing role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society. It’s essential to acknowledge the incredible work kinship carers do. Every day, these carers provide stability and love for children who cannot live with their parents, […]
Kinship Care Week: Recognising and Supporting a Vital Family Role
It’s Kinship Care Week 2024 this week (7–13 October) which is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society. It’s essential to spotlight kinship carers—those who step up to raise children when their parents are unable to. While the importance of kinship care often goes under-recognised, these […]
Supporting a Cause Close to Our Hearts: Welfare Call’s Macmillan Coffee Morning
Last Friday, our team came together to host a Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning, and it was a wonderful reminder of the power of community and compassion. Cancer is something that has touched the lives of many of our colleagues, friends, and families. It’s a battle that affects not only those diagnosed but their loved […]
Welfare Call & Cyber Essentials Plus: A Continued Commitment to Maintaining High Data Security Standards
At Welfare Call, we understand the importance of safeguarding sensitive data. In an era where cyber threats are ever-present, ensuring the security of our clients’ and partners’ information is more important than ever. That’s why we are proud to announce that we have continued to maintain our ongoing commitment to cybersecurity excellence through the acquisition […]
Online Training: Extranet/Analytics functionality and features
Calling all new Virtual School users or anyone who would like refresher training: the first of our termly repeat training sessions is coming up this Thursday 9th May. Are you a new user eager to unlock the full potential of the Welfare Call platform? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned user looking to refresh your […]
Maximising Resources and Minimising Costs: Welfare Call’s Crucial Role in Supporting Local Authorities
In an era of tightening budgets and increasing demands, local authorities are facing unprecedented challenges in delivering essential services and meeting and exceeding their statutory obligations, particularly for vulnerable children and young people. The struggle to balance budgets while ensuring the well-being of communities is a delicate act, often requiring innovative solutions to optimise resources […]