Information for designated teachers, headteachers, governors, specialist coordinators and anyone working in a school with children who are in care.
What schools need to do
Many young people in care do well in their education. But as a group, children in care don't achieve as well at school as their peers, so schools need to provide them with more support and pay extra attention to their needs. Schools can get extra funding and support to help them do this.
Admissions
Children in care have the highest priority in school admissions. We urge schools to consider admissions for children in care with utmost sensitivity and urgency.
Designated teacher for children in care
Statutory guidance from the Department for Education Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-teacher-for-looked-after-children (opens new window) says that all maintained schools and academies must have a designated teacher (DT) for children in care (CiC).
Designated teachers hold a critical role in promoting the educational achievement of children in care and children who are previously looked after.
This includes holding oversight of learning outcomes and well-being, ensuring there is a live picture of progress, attainment and support in place.
They are responsible for being the central point of contact within schools, co-ordinating support and provision across all areas of learning and pastoral care.
Designated teachers are responsible for maintaining a live picture of the educational provision and educational support for children in care through the Personal Education Plan (PEP).
Training for designated teachers
Find out about training courses for DTs on our training page.
Named governor for children in care
All maintained schools and academies should have a named governor for children in care.
The named governor should liaise with the designated teacher on an annual report for the governing body.
Training for named governors for children in care
Training courses for named governors.
Children in care with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
If a child in care at your school has identified special education needs, a coordinated approach is required to ensure all learning provisions are reviewed as part of the PEP. For all children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), we ask that the EHCP provisions and outcomes are discussed as part of the PEP review.
For futher guidance about your school's SEND offer please speak with your SENCo. There is further information about Bristol City Council's SEND offer on the SEND Local Offer website.
Safeguarding
Children and young people in care can be very vulnerable and may need extra support to keep them safe.
Designated teachers may need to work very closely with the school safeguarding team in order to understand the complexity impacting educational outcomes. Children in care require a co-ordinated school approach to ensure their needs are understood and met.
For more information go to our Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website.
