What do Designated Teachers (DTs) do?
- Help school staff to understand things that affect the way children in care learn and achieve, and to advise staff about teaching strategies
- Promote high expectations and aspirations for children in care
- Ensure the child has a voice in setting learning targets
- Ensure that children in care are prioritised in one-to-one tuition arrangements and that carers understand the importance of supporting learning at home
- Have lead responsibility for the child’s Personal Education Plan (PEP) at school
- Help children in care make a smooth transition if they change schools
- Manage the way school engages with others (e.g. social workers, Virtual School Head) focussing on the way everyone contributes to the child’s educational achievement
- Ensure school policies (e.g. Home School Agreements) are communicated to social workers and carers
- Ensure the school does everything possible to maximise educational stability for the child
The Virtual School provides regular updates and training to DTs and organises training events to help keep their knowledge and skills up to date. The DT is expected to liaise regularly and effectively with the Virtual School and provide regular updates to monitor and track progress.
Schools should also have a named governor for children in care. The DT should report to the governors about the progress of children in care.