Corporate Parenting The Contribution of Designated Teachers

This study explores issues concerning the education of young people in public care and some of the national initiatives that have been introduced to redress the difficulties experienced by this group. The research was designed to explore the impact of the introduction of the designated teacher role in a small sample of schools in one authority and the contribution of the role to corporate parenting of young people who are looked after. It is a study over two and a half years, employing case study methodology. In addition to exploring perceptions of social workers and teachers on the difficulties that looked after children face in education, case studies are reported, together with contextual details, to identify examples of effective collaboration or non-collaboration between Social Care and schools, focusing on the role of the designated teacher. Interviews with a sample of young people give an insight into their perceptions of the difficulties they face. End of study interviews attempt to demonstrate changes in perceptions and practice, and inform recommendations for effecting further improvement.