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FOREWORD
We are aware that a great deal of very positive work is happening across Scotland aimed at improving the educational outcomes of Scotland's looked after children and young people but we know that more needs to be done to ensure that we further reduce the gap between this group of children and young people and their peers. To achieve the best outcomes it is essential that our looked after children and young people receive the right sorts of support and educational stimulation at all ages and stages of their lives; from early years through to further and higher education.
Looked after children and young people can face real barriers to positively engaging in the educational opportunities available to them. This is often linked to the issues that led them to become looked after and the impact of their previous experiences in areas such as attendance and behaviour. Yes they can be a challenge to engage with but equally they can become achievers and enjoy many successes in their lives. Our job is to ensure that they are supported as and when they need it so that they achieve all that they can.
The role of the designated manager for looked after children and young people in schools was established following the publication of the Learning With Care report in 2001. Having a designated manager in educational establishments and developing a reciprocal role in residential child care establishments is central to improving educational outcomes; the Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better report acknowledged that our looked after children and young people need someone both in school and in their home setting who understands their issues and supports their educational attainment.
This publication of this document fulfils the Scottish Government's commitment under Action 9 of We Can and Must Do Better which states: "In partnership with COSLA, local authorities and Learning and Teaching Scotland, we will produce a list of core tasks which clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the designated person within each school or residential establishment who undertakes this important role." In addition to publishing the core tasks, the Scottish Government has simultaneously written to councils and independent providers of residential establishments asking them to identify a senior member of staff who will take particular responsibility for ensuring that appropriate resources are in place within their establishment for supporting the education of their children and young people.
We hope that the core tasks outlined in this document will provide valuable guidance to designated managers from across Scotland to assist them in discharging their responsibilities to our looked after children and young people.
Additionally, the role of the designated manager is further supported by a number of recent publications. The We Can and Must Do Better training materials and the examples of positive practice emanating from the national research into the programme of local authority pilot projects aimed at improving the educational outcomes of looked after children and young people provide practical support. The publication of the guide for community planning partnerships on being a good corporate parent provides an opportunity for local authorities to consider at a more strategic level their corporate responsibilities. In addition, the Looked After Children Website provides a wealth of information and a networking opportunities for those who support looked after children and young people.
Looked after children and young people are first and foremost children and young people. We know, however, that their life circumstances can and often do lead to barriers in their learning. We know that looked after children and young people can and do achieve many successes but that many will need support and encouragement (often in different ways) to do this. We all have responsibilities in this respect.
Finally, designated managers can provide individual looked after children and young people with real opportunities for success and as such we would commend this guidance to you.
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