Fiducia TogetherDesignated teacher
The teacher responsible for looked-after and previously looked-after children in a school. A statutory role.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Every maintained school and academy must appoint a designated teacher with responsibility for promoting the educational achievement of looked-after and previously looked-after children.
It is a statutory role with statutory guidance behind it.
Where it applies
All state schools, whether or not they currently have a child in care on roll.
How it works
They lead on personal education plans, work with the Virtual School Head, and advise staff on the effects of care experience and trauma on learning.
They are also the point of contact for adoptive parents and special guardians, who are frequently unaware the role covers them.
What you can ask for
Ask who it is. If you are an adoptive parent or special guardian, ask for a meeting — previously looked-after children attract pupil premium plus and admission priority and many schools do not proactively identify them.
Ask how the school understands the effect of early trauma on learning and behaviour, and what that changes in practice.
Where to get help
The school. The Virtual School Head at the council. Adoption UK for adoptive families and PAC-UK for education advice.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.