The role of the governing body
In the statutory guidance the designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children (publishing.service.gov.uk) (PDF) the Department of Education outlines how governors, through working with the designated teacher, should hold the school responsible for the progress made by children in care and children previously in care. Designated Teachers are required to provide an annual report to the governing body. Governors and senior leaders within schools should consider:
- does the designated teacher have appropriate seniority and professional experience to provide leadership, training, information, challenge and advice to others that will influence decisions about the teaching and learning needs of looked-after and previously looked-after children?
- does the designated teacher have appropriate seniority and skills to work with the school’s senior leadership and governing body to help ensure school policies and approaches appropriately reflect the needs of looked-after and previously looked-after children and act as a champion for them?
- does the designated teacher have training opportunities, including time away from timetable commitments, to acquire and keep up to date with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to respond to the specific teaching and learning needs of looked-after and previously looked-after children, including a good knowledge of SEN?
- how does the designated teacher role contribute to the deeper understanding of everyone in the school who is likely to be involved in supporting looked-after and previously looked-after children to achieve?
- what resource implications might there be in supporting the designated teacher to carry out their role?
- what expertise can designated teachers call on within and outside the school such as SENCOs, health and mental health support?
- what monitoring arrangements might be appropriate to ensure that the role of the designated teacher is providing appropriate support for looked-after and previously looked-after children on the school roll?