The Role Of The Designated Teacher

What thing(s) must every school have? A head teacher? Certainly. Policies? Yes! How about a roof? Well, maybe not! But one thing they all must have is a Designated Teacher. This is a person in the school who has the responsibility to promote the achievement of a vulnerable group of children. These are the children who are in the care system or were previously in it and those who have a social worker.

When you think about how well this group of children do in their journey through school it is clear why the role is necessary. It’s not easy being a child in this group and so it is right that they have someone extra in school who has their back and looks out for them.

Schools come in all shapes and sizes, and so there isn’t one way of doing this. In a small school for instance, where they may not be huge numbers of children falling into those categories, it might be a role carried out by the school headteacher. In a larger school it could be a role shared by more than one person. Whoever does it and however it is organised, one thing is clear from all the guidance – it is an important role that has to be taken seriously. The person needs training and extra ‘non-contact’ time so they can be effective, and ultimately make a difference to the outcomes for the child. The person also needs to have some authority in the school because their job is to stand up and fight for the children as if they were their own.

What should you expect of the person in this role? Well, for a start, you should be able to find out who they are and how to contact them easily because they will often be the first person you approach if you have issues and concerns, other than, perhaps, the class teacher in a primary school. If you do contact them, you should expect a response later that day, or early the next day and they should have information about the child at their fingertips. Remember, though, they might have to get back to you with more information if you need them to investigate something for you. Please also remember, if you arrange a meeting in school, always stick to the time. Schools run on a rigid timetable. Chances are the teacher will allocate a time to meet you and then they will have to go off to teach. If you are late – they still have to go off to teach!

But their job isn’t just to be there for the carer or social worker and pop up in PEP meetings. They have an important role in making sure that all the other teachers and support staff know the children well and understand their needs. They might have to organise, or run, training for staff and keep them informed about changes in the life of the young person as well as keep everyone up to date with the latest legislation. They are also important in making a smooth transition for the child moving from one stage to the next.

Designated Teachers don’t work in isolation – or at least, they shouldn’t. They should have a good relationship with the local Virtual School, and they should attend local network meetings for designated teachers across the authority. This is a great way to share good practice and to pick up tips on making a difference for the children.

Ultimately, their role is to make sure that all the children in the school know that they are truly “seen, safe and secure”. It is only then that the child will understand they are loved and that this school is a place where they can achieve and be successful.