ys in which to refer the case to the Schools Adjudicator. The Adjudicator may either uphold the direction or, if the local authority that looks after the child agrees, determine that another school in England must admit the child. The Adjudicator’s decision is binding. Local authorities can also ask the Secretary of State to direct academies to admit looked- after children. 43 Adoption Some looked-after children are placed for adoption and will live with their prospective new parents prior to the final Adoption Order. When that happens, if they are of statutory school age, they may stay at their existing school or move to a new school. Before the final Adoption Order is made by the courts, the child will retain their looked-after legal status. That means that, for example, although placed for adoption, they will have an adoption plan and a PEP. They should continue to be treated in the same way as any other looked-after child in relation to the designated teacher’s role. Once the final Adoption Order is made, the child will no longer be looked-after. However, his/her educational, social and emotional needs will not change overnight. This is why in 2014, previously looked-after children who left care through an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order retained many of the educational entitlements they had whilst they were in care, such as priority admission and the PP+, and why, through the Children and Social Work Act 2017, schools and local authorities continue to have a duty to promote their educational achievement. Carers A very important aspect of improving the achievement of looked-after children will be the relationship established by the carer with school staff. The nature of the carer will vary depending on the type of care placement, e.g. a re