In Scottish secondary school education, the Named Person is typically a designated professional responsible for safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people.
This role was established under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. According to the Scottish Government guidelines, the Named Person could be a teacher, guidance teacher, or another designated member of school staff who acts as a point of contact for students and their families regarding any concerns about the child's well-being, development, or safety. The Named Person works closely with other professionals and agencies to provide support and assistance as needed.
Reasons why a non-promoted member of staff might not be suitable for that role:
Workload concerns: Teachers already have demanding workloads, including lesson planning, teaching, marking, and other administrative tasks. Adding the responsibilities of a Named Person could potentially overload them and detract from their primary role of teaching.
Training and expertise: While teachers receive training in child development and safeguarding, some situations might require specialized knowledge or expertise that goes beyond their training. In such cases, a different professional with specific training in child welfare or mental health might be better suited to the role of Named Person.
Availability: Teachers may not always be available due to teaching commitments, meetings, or other responsibilities. Having a designated staff member who is more readily available could ensure that children and families receive timely support and assistance when needed.
Overall, while teachers can certainly fulfil the role of Named Person effectively in many cases, there may be situations where another professional might be a better fit due to considerations such as conflict of interest, workload, expertise, or availability.
