Ask the Expert: Private school placement

Our team is responsible for finding placements for looked-after children and has been offered two places in a local private school for no cost as part of its “charitable giving”. This is splitting the team. Should we accept?

The offer of such places is not uncommon – but not common enough. What’s the big issue? Is it about the status of the school? How good it is? Are there more personal than professional issues playing into the views taken?

If you have children who could benefit, personal feelings must not get in the way. The underlying principle always has to be “what’s right for the child”.

People with deep-rooted personal (or political) convictions might feel better being true to themselves. But that’s not what they are paid for. Securing the best outcomes for the child is the primary – the only – task.

Use the opportunity to liaise with education colleagues and see what added value can come from this contact, such as links with other schools in the local authority area. But don’t look this gift horse in the mouth.

Answered by Peter Lewis, a freelance providing interim local authority children’s services leadership, and a former DCS in Haringey

Email questions, marked “Experts”, to cypnow@markallengroup.com