Statutory guidance on their roles and responsibilities.
This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education, issued under sections 20(4) and 20A(4) of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. This means that the governing bodies of maintained schools, academy proprietors and the designated staff member at maintained schools and academies must have regard to it when promoting the educational attainment of looked-after and previously looked-after children.
This guidance replaces previous guidance under the name, The role and responsibilities of the designated teacher for looked-after children, issued in 2009.
Section 20 of the 2008 Act places the following duties on governing bodies:
- To designate a member of staff (the designated teacher) as having the responsibility to promote the educational achievement of looked-after children, including those aged between 16 and 18 who are registered pupils at the school.
- To ensure that the designated teacher undertakes appropriate training (section 20(2)).
- The governing body and the designated teacher must have regard to this guidance and any other relevant guidance issued by the Secretary of State.