Who this covers
A looked-after child is a child in the care of a local authority under an interim or full care order, or accommodated by it, for example under a voluntary arrangement with the parents’ consent (KCSIE 2026, paragraph 235 and footnote 48).
A previously looked-after child is one who has left care in England or Wales through adoption, a special guardianship order or a child arrangements order, or who was adopted from state care outside England and Wales (KCSIE footnote 51).
The most common reason children become looked after is abuse or neglect (paragraph 235). KCSIE says previously looked-after children may remain vulnerable, and all staff need the skills to keep both groups safe (paragraph 238).
The designated teacher
Governing bodies of maintained schools must appoint a designated teacher under section 20 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Academy proprietors must do the same through section 2E of the Academies Act 2010. Since the Children and Social Work Act 2017, the role covers previously looked-after children too (KCSIE paragraph 239).
The designated teacher must be a qualified teacher who has completed induction and teaches at the school, or the headteacher, and must have appropriate training (Designated Teacher Regulations 2009, regulation 3). Other schools and colleges should have an appropriately trained teacher take the lead.
The statutory guidance says the designated teacher should:
- be the central point of contact in school for social workers, carers and the virtual school (paragraph 9)
- have enough seniority to influence decisions and challenge practice (paragraph 6)
- make sure staff understand attachment, loss and trauma, keep high expectations, and don’t treat these children differently in public (paragraph 11)
- lead on the PEP in school (paragraphs 26 to 34)
- help decide how pupil premium plus is used (paragraph 44)
In maintained schools and academies, the DSL should work closely with the designated teacher (KCSIE footnote 49).
The virtual school head
Every local authority must appoint a virtual school head (VSH) to promote the educational achievement of the children it looks after (Children Act 1989, section 22(3B)). The VSH:
- manages pupil premium plus for looked-after children (KCSIE paragraph 241)
- quality-assures PEPs
- gives information and advice about previously looked-after children to parents and designated teachers when asked. They are not a corporate parent for this group (paragraph 242)
DfE has extended the role without a statutory duty. Since June 2021 it covers strategic oversight of the attendance, attainment and progress of children with a social worker. Since September 2024 it covers promoting the education of all children in kinship care (KCSIE paragraphs 244 to 246). KCSIE 2026 highlights the VSH’s part in improving these children’s attendance.
Section 6 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 would put a statutory duty on local authorities for children in need and children in kinship care. It is not yet in force (checked on legislation.gov.uk, 20 October 2026).
The personal education plan (PEP)
Every looked-after child must have a PEP as part of their care plan (KCSIE footnote 55).
- Starting it. The social worker starts the PEP, with the VSH’s support. After an emergency placement it should be started within 10 working days of the child becoming looked after (Promoting the education guidance, paragraph 23).
- Building it. When a child becomes looked after or joins the school, the local authority should send the designated teacher the up-to-date PEP urgently. The designated teacher then assesses the child’s needs with colleagues such as the SENCO, and develops the PEP (designated teacher guidance, paragraphs 23 to 27).
- Reviewing it. The VSH should arrange for PEPs to be reviewed each school term (Promoting the education guidance, paragraph 28).
- Before a care plan review. The designated teacher should update the PEP and send it to the social worker and VSH. The care plan is reviewed within 20 working days of the child becoming looked after, then after three months, then every six months (designated teacher guidance, paragraphs 32 and 33).
- Funding. Every PEP should show how pupil premium plus is helping the child (paragraph 41).
Pupil premium plus
For the 2026 to 2027 financial year, pupil premium plus is £2,690 per pupil for both looked-after and previously looked-after children. A child who also has FSM Ever 6 gets this rate only (pupil premium technical note, section 3).
- For looked-after children, the money goes to the VSH. The VSH decides with the school how to use it, and links it to the PEP. It can be pooled.
- For previously looked-after children, it is paid to the school. This depends on parents telling the school about the child’s status, so that it is recorded in the census. The designated teacher should encourage them to do so (designated teacher guidance, paragraph 44).
- It is not a personal budget. It must be spent on evidence-informed approaches from DfE’s menu of approaches (conditions of grant, sections 4.2 and 4.3).
What KCSIE 2026 asks of the DSL
- Make sure the right staff know the child’s legal status, contact arrangements with birth parents and the delegated authority given to carers (paragraphs 236 and 237).
- Hold the details of the child’s social worker and the VSH for the authority that looks after them (paragraph 237).
- For care leavers aged 16 and 17, hold the details of their local authority personal adviser and liaise with them about concerns (paragraph 247).
- Treat absence seriously. Absence can raise known risks for a looked-after child (paragraph 221).
Admissions and exclusions
Admission authorities must give looked-after and previously looked-after children the highest priority in their oversubscription criteria. They can’t refuse a looked-after child because of challenging behaviour (Promoting the education guidance, paragraphs 16 and 17).
If a looked-after child is at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion, the designated teacher should contact the VSH as soon as possible. They should look at how pupil premium plus is being used and consider an interim PEP review. If the child is excluded, the headteacher must notify the VSH without delay (suspension and permanent exclusion guidance, paragraphs 77 and 97). See suspension and permanent exclusion guidance.