Looked_after@2x (1)

Role of the designated teacher for looked-after children

1 hour and 20 minutes
Certificate included

Get to grips with your role and responsibilities as the designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children.

Who it's for

The designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children

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Last reviewed on 22 September 2026See updates
Ref: 2117

This course covers ...

  • Who looked-after children and previously looked-after children are, and the barriers they face
  • Your role and responsibilities as the designated teacher, including your statutory requirements
  • How to use the personal education plan (PEP) effectively to support looked-after children
  • Your role in supporting looked-after and previously looked-after pupils at risk of suspension/exclusion
  • What a whole-school approach to supporting looked-after and previously looked-after children might look like and how to communicate this effectively with staff
  • How to work with external agencies effectively to support looked-after children and previously looked-after children

What’s statutory?

This course is in line with the DfE's guidance on the designated teacher for looked after and previously looked-after children and your statutory requirements as the designated teacher.

How do I know if I’m compliant?

This course provides training for the designated teacher. All schools are required to have a designated teacher for looked-after and previously looked-after children. The designated teacher must be a qualified teacher who has completed the appropriate induction period or the headteacher/acting headteacher of the school.

With thanks to our expert, Audrey Pantelis, for her help with this course:

Audrey Pantelis is a passionate advocate for inclusion, diversity, and equity in leadership and workplace culture. With over 30 years of experience in education and leadership, she specialises in helping organisations embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into their culture in a meaningful and sustainable way. She is the founder and director of Elevation Coaching and Consulting Ltd, an accredited Resilient Leaders Elements leadership coach, Cultural Intelligence (CQ®) facilitator, and C-Me colour profiling accreditor. As a sought-after speaker, she delivers keynotes and training sessions on inclusive leadership, cultural competence, and building equitable workplaces.

Course updates

22 September 2026

We've updated this course to include the PDF key takeaways.

Additional resources

Training to meet your statutory requirements

Personal education plans (PEPs) for looked-after children

See examples of personal education plans (PEPs) for looked-after children.