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<p>The needs of the child are paramount when deciding the right care placement. The
Children’s Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to make sure that there is
sufficient provision in their area to meet the needs of children in their care and
ensure placements safeguard and promote the child’s welfare. Further, the guidance
is clear that the child’s allocated social worker, supported by local authority management
and resources, should do everything possible to minimise disruption to the child’s
education and, where a child is in key stage 4, a move should only be made in exceptional
circumstances. Responsibility for looked-after children sits with the local authority.
The guidance and regulations of the Children Act 1989 can be found attached.</p><p>
</p><p>Every local authority must appoint a Virtual School Head (VSH), who has a statutory
duty to promote the educational attainment of all children in their care. All maintained
schools and academies must appoint a designated teacher to act as a source of advice
and expertise about the needs of the looked-after children on the school’s roll. Looked-after
children also have top priority in school admissions and attract Pupil Premium Plus
funding of £2,570 per child, up to age 16. This is managed by the VSH, who works with
the child’s education setting to deliver objectives in the child’s personal education
plan.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the number of placements experienced by looked after children
in a one year period has remained broadly stable over the past 5 years, the government
recognises there are issues with finding stable placements. That is why the government
has announced over £400 million in capital funding to help local authorities create
more beds in their local areas which will aim to further reduce the number of children
experiencing multiple placements.</p>
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