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Attempts to place a legal duty on schools to identify and meet the needs of looked after children in the Children Bill have failed, but could resurface at a later stage, writes Amy Taylor.

The Bill places a duty on local authorities to promote looked after children’s educational achievement but the Association of Directors of Social Service, the Local Government Association and children’s charity the National Children’s Bureau want the duty to be extended to schools.

The amendment placed a duty on the governing body of a school to ensure that its teachers are aware of the educational needs of looked after children in general and where appropriate know which children in the school are looked after. Ann Baxter, director of social services at Stockton-on-Tees council and secretary of the children and families committee at the ADSS said that she was “disappointed” by the withdrawal.

Alison King, chair of the LGA’s social affairs and health executive said that it was not enough to place a duty on local authorities as schools played an “integral part” in ensuring looked after children reached their potential in education. She added that legislative change was vital as current Department for Education and Skills guidance was failing to improve support for the group in schools.

Baroness Sharp of Guilford said that although she would withdraw the amendment she would read what sure start minister baroness Ashton had previously said about the issue in the children bill debate and possibly re-table it.