Education Workforce Council
2Education Workforce Council
(1)The body corporate established in pursuance of section 8 of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30) and known as the General Teaching Council for Wales—
(a)is to continue to exist, but
(b)is to change its name to (and now be known as) the “Education Workforce Council” (in this Act referred to as “the Council”).
(2)Schedule 1 (which makes provision about the constitution and powers of the Council) has effect.
3Aims of the Council
The principal aims of the Council are—
(a)to contribute to improving the standards of teaching and the quality of learning in Wales, and
(b)to maintain and improve standards of professional conduct amongst teachers and persons who support teaching and learning in Wales.
4Functions of the Council
(1)The Council’s main functions are—
(a)to provide advice on matters related to the persons which it regulates and teaching and learning in accordance with section 7;
(b)to undertake activities to promote careers in registrable professions in accordance with section 8;
(c)to establish and maintain a register in accordance with section 9;
(d)to keep itself informed about the induction of persons in accordance with section 17 and to hear appeals in relation to induction decisions in accordance with section 19;
(e)to review and revise the code which specifies standards of professional conduct and practice for registered persons in accordance with section 24;
(f)to investigate unacceptable professional conduct and professional incompetence and take appropriate action in respect of registered persons in accordance with section 26;
(g)to hold such information about persons as may be specified in accordance with section 33 and to provide information to such bodies as may be specified in accordance with section 35.
(2)The Council also has the additional functions conferred on it by virtue of—
(a)this Act;
(b)an order under section 5;
(c)any other enactment.
(3)The functions conferred on the Council by or under this Part are exercisable by it only in relation to Wales.
5Power to add functions
(1)The Welsh Ministers may by order confer or impose on the Council such additional functions as they consider appropriate.
(2)Before making an order under subsection (1) the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.
6Directions
(1)The Council must comply with any direction (general or specific) given to it by the Welsh Ministers.
(2)A direction may not be given in respect of—
(a)a specific application for registration under section 9;
(b)an appeal relating to such an application;
(c)a specific disciplinary case under section 26.
(3)The Welsh Ministers must publish a direction given under this section in such manner as they consider appropriate.
(4)The Welsh Ministers may vary or revoke a direction (and subsection (3) applies in relation to any document varying or revoking a direction as it applies to a direction).