Championing Children with Care Experience - The Designated Teacher Award
Course overview
Section 20 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 places a duty on governing bodies to appoint a member of staff to be the Designated Teacher as having the responsibility to promote the educational achievement of Children in Care (CiC) (also known as Children Looked After (CLA)), including those aged between 16 and 18 who are registered pupils at the school, and to ensure that the Designated Teacher undertakes appropriate training (section 20:2). The 2017 Children and Social Work Act extends this duty to children previously looked after. Furthermore, the Children and Families Act 2014 requires councils in England to appoint a Virtual School Head to discharge the local authority’s duty to promote the educational achievement of children in care (CiC). | This module has been developed in collaboration with the Suffolk Virtual School (VS) and Suffolk's Psychology and Therapeutic Services (P&TS) and would be appropriate for Designated Teachers and others working more broadly with childr
Key highlights
- Developed with Suffolk Virtual School and Psychology and Therapeutic Services
- Training for Designated Teachers required under Children and Young Persons Act
- Focuses on promoting educational achievement of children in care
- Covers children previously looked after under 2017 legislation
- Suitable for wider professionals working with care-experienced children
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
International Merit Scholarship
The awards are £1,000 - £3,000 based on your academic achievements and level of study.
Up to £1,000Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Health Scholarship
We will be awarding fifty (50) Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Health Scholarships of £4,000 value each in the 2025/26 academic year.
Up to £4,000
Careers this course leads to
- Designated Teacher for Looked After Children
- Virtual School Head
- Virtual School Education Adviser
- Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
- Pastoral Lead
- Head of Year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Suffolk, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to your place.