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).