PART 2EDUCATION WORKFORCE
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).