Children in Care are young people who cannot live with their birth family and are looked after by the state, usually the local authority. Reasons for this can include protection from harm, family breakdown, or parents' inability to cope due to illness or other reasons. A child can be in care for a short time with the goal of returning home or for a longer period, depending on the situation. 

We will provide a safe learning environment for Children in Care, ensuring that their individual needs are met by maintaining good communication with those caring for the child, social services and support services. We commit to attending review meetings and ensuring the targets set on Personal Education Plans are integrated into school life.

We work closely with Virtual Schools Kent (VSK). This is not a physical school, but an organisation dedicated to promoting the educational progress and attainment of children and young people who are, or have previously been, in care, have a social worker, or are in kinship care arrangements. They support the school with advice, training and improved access to specialist services. 

All schools are required to have a nominated Designated Teacher. This is a statutory requirement whether or not a school has a Looked After Child currently on their roll. This is to ensure that whenever one of the students becomes looked after, or a new child in care is admitted to the school, there is a teacher who is already trained to carry out this important role.

The designated teacher at Harrietsham Church of Engand Primary School is Rebecca Evans, our Inclusion Leader: Contact: rebecca.evans@harrietsham.kent.sch.uk.

The role of the designated teacher is:

• To promote a culture of high expectations and aspirations for how looked after children learn.
• To make sure the young person has a voice in setting learning targets.
• To be a source of advice for staff about differentiated teaching strategies appropriate for individual children and in making full use of Assessment for Learning.
• To make sure that looked after children are prioritised in one-to-one tuition arrangements and that carers understand the importance of supporting learning at home.
• To have lead responsibility for the development and implementation of the child’s Personal Education Plan (PEP) within the school.