Children in Care: The Guide for School Governors

On this page, you’ll find the Children in Care: Guide for School Governors, created by Become and 9000 Lives.

Screenshots of Governors Guide for Children in Care.

* A quick 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). So, even if your area doesn’t use the term CIC, this page is still right for you.

What is 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 a national charity and local school perspective, it covers CIC from EYFS classes all the way up to Year 13. It applies to both academies and local authority schools.

Whilst it is perfect for governors, expert feedback told us that it’s also great for:

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 or legal terminology. Most of us just want key points in a clear and straightforward way. This guide does that: key facts without any jibber-jabber.

Quote from Governor Guide to CIC / LAC guide that reads:
"Clear and Concise. This is useful to many staff as well as governors."
The quote is from an experienced teacher of children in care.

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:

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.

Quote from a school governor about the CIC guide. Quote reads:
"Having this booklet gave me confidence to ask."
"When I wasn’t sure I’d even say “I’ve read some guidance and wondered if I can ask you some of the questions they have suggested…”
"It sort of gives me permission to ask tough questions."

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 it helps you (or your colleagues) to improve the lives of your CIC.

Children In Care: Guide for Governors is free to download.

Are Schools required to have a CIC Link Governor?

No. However, CIC are often part of the Safeguarding Governor role (and the DfE says that your school must have one of those).

78. Governing bodies and proprietors should have a senior board level (or equivalent) lead to take leadership responsibility for their school or college’s safeguarding arrangements.
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024).

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 our 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. If we give volunteers 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:

  1. Have we a designated teacher (DT) and have they been on training for the DT role?
  2. If a pupil entered the care system next Monday, What actions would our DT need to take?
  3. 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?
Quote from National Governors Association about the CIC Governors Guide reads:
"An important and accessible document for all involved in school governance."

Download Now

  1. Download Children in Care: Guide for Governors and let’s help our CIC to reach for the stars.
  2. Share it with everyone who you think will benefit.

Where can I get more info?

Even more excellent guidance for governors and school leaders:

Image credits (title): Unsplash

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  • Aaron King, Director

    With 25 years as an educator and school leader in mainstream and SEND settings, Aaron is the driving force behind 9000lives.

    Aaron has been published in various publications on inclusion, SEND and leadership topics. He has also been a governor for 16 years.

  • Aaron King, Director of 9000 Lives
  • Get in touch

    Or contact us directly via


    director@9000lives.org

    0788 42 42 719