Education Settings and Providers

Designated Teacher

Who is the designated teacher within the school?

The Designated Teacher is a qualified teacher within the school who should have appropriate seniority and professional experience to provide leadership, training, information, challenge and advice to others to influence the teaching and learning needs of children in care and those previously in care.

What is the role of the designated teacher?

The Designated Teacher’s main responsibilities are to:

• Have a leadership role in promoting the educational achievement of every child in care or previously in care on their school roll
• Be a central point of initial contact within the school ​ensuring school staff understand the things which can affect how children in care or previously in care learn and achieve
• Review and monitor the educational needs of children in care or those previously in care within their school
• Ensure the Personal Education Plan (PEP) is a living and evolving document which contains smart targets to accelerate educational progress

The statutory guidance: ‘The Designated Teacher for looked after and previously looked after children’, provides detailed insight into the key responsibilities of the Designated Teacher and includes some very important guidelines for school leaders, governors and trustees.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-teacher-for-looked-after-children