On this page, you’ll find the Children in Care: Guide for School Governors, created by Become and 9000 Lives.
* A note on terminology: We use the term ‘children in care’ (or CIC for short). However, these same pupils are sometimes described as Looked after Children (LAC) or Children Looked After (CLA). Whichever term you use, this is the right page for you.
What is the Children in Care: Guide for School Governors?
It’s a short handbook that tells you what you need to know about CIC. It explains the basics quickly and clearly, as well as giving sensible questions for governors to ask.
Full of the latest knowledge from a both national charity and local school perspectives, it is applies to early years classes up to Year 13.
The guide is for all school types and is recommended by the Department for Education in their Academy School Governance Guide and Maintained Schools Governance Guide.
Whilst it is perfect for governors, expert feedback told us that it’s also great for:
- school leaders
- teachers
- support staff
- others who work to support our pupils
It’s free to download the guide.
What isn’t in the guide?
Lots of jargon. But when it does have jargon, it is simply explained.
One thing that gets in the way of your knowledge of the care system is information that’s cluttered with specialist terms or legal jargon. The guide gives direct and straightforward information: Key facts without jibber-jabber.
Who wrote it?
It was written by Aaron King & Become.
Aaron has spent around 20 years on governing bodies and even longer working with vulnerable children and families in schools – especially those with SEND.
Become are the national charity for children in care & care leavers. Since 1992, Become have been working hard to:
- Provide advice and support
- Help guide the lives of CIC & care leavers
- Influence policy
- Train professionals who work with CIC.
Become practice what they preach (that we should have no limits on what can be achieved by our CIC). For example, 50% of their trustees have first-hand experience of care. Check out their website becomecharity.org.uk.
We asked carers, staff, care experienced people and governors for feedback and listened to their feedback to make the booklet even better. Thanks to all those who gave opinions, especially Tracy, Sarah, Jill and Amy.
Why did we write this CIC guide?
School governors sometimes take on extra duties called link governors. There was a new link governor at one school and we wanted to help them with their link governor role for Children in Care.
We couldn’t find what we needed to get them off to a flying start. So we rolled up our sleeves and wrote it.
We now hope the Children In Care: Guide for Governors helps you (or colleagues) to improve the lives of your CIC.
Are Schools required to have a CIC Link Governor?
No. However, CIC are often part of the Safeguarding Governor role (and the DfE guidance (KCSIE, 2025) says that your school must have one of those).
Typically, it makes sense to combine the two roles.
Whether it is part of the safeguarding governor role or a stand-alone link governor, this governor is an important ally to CIC. They help to ensure that there is accountability for our CIC, as well as support and challenge for the designated teacher.
What if our school has no CIC (or previously CIC)?
If you have no CIC (or Previously CIC), do not ask a volunteer to be CIC Link Governor. When we give roles that have no tangible benefit to current pupils, the volunteer is more likely to quit.
Instead, include oversight of CIC in the safeguarding link governor role. That’s because, even with no CIC, governors should still check that school has anticipated CIC. The three questions that governor should ask are:
- Have we a designated teacher (DT) and have they been on training for the DT role?
- If a pupil entered the care system next Monday, What actions would our DT need to take?
- If a carer applied for a CIC to join our school, how well prepared are we to support that pupil (and their carers) from day one?
Take action now
- Download Children in Care: Guide for Governors and let’s help our CIC to reach for the stars.
- Share it with everyone who you think will benefit.
Where can I get more info?
- Most local councils have a Virtual School webpage. You can find these via Google.
More excellent guidance for governors and school leaders
Image credits (title): Unsplash
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- Check out our feedback or get in touch.
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