Information and support
Suspensions
Suspensions, also known as fixed term exclusions, mean that your child is not allowed in school for a set number of days for disciplinary reasons.
We can offer for you and your child:
- telephone and email advice on all matters relating to preventing suspension and exclusions
- attendance at school meetings where preventing suspension or permanent exclusion is one of the main factors
You can find more information about who has the authority to suspend a child from school on the GOV.UK website.
For further advice surrounding suspensions contact us.
Permanent exclusions
A permanent exclusion is used by schools as a last resort. It means that the excluded child can no longer attend the school, unless the governing board directs reinstatement.
This decision is usually based on a serious incident, inside or outside school, or persistently disruptive behaviour inside or outside of school.
You can find information on the ACE education website regarding:
- the standard of proof
- having a say in a permanent exclusion
- unofficial exclusions
- children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
- other factors affecting an exclusion (such as a bereavement)
- what happens during the exclusion
- finding a new school
See the Department of Education's guidance on the law behind permanent exclusions.
Finding a school after a permanent exclusion
When a child has been permanently excluded from school, we will:
- contact the parent or carer
- help to explain the appeals process
- help to explain the child's education going forward
- support the child and family through the process
- we'll place your child at an alternative education provider, such as a pupil referral unit, unless they have an education, health and care plan (EHC).
The Lincolnshire Fair Access panel allocates places to children who have been permanently excluded from secondary school, and it will consider any preferences that a parent or carer may have. However, a place at a preferred school cannot be guaranteed.
Placement is sought as soon as it is felt that your child is ready to return to mainstream school and in discussion with the child and their parent or carer.
If the allocated school is over three miles from the home address then free transport is provided, which is usually a bus pass.
Off site direction and managed moves
Off site direction can be used as a temporary move to improve a pupil’s behaviour, or as part of a time limited placement at another mainstream school with the intention that it will lead to a managed move. (as described in paragraphs 35 to 46 suspension and permanent exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement)
A managed move is a carefully planned transfer of a child from one school to another, and is often used as an alternative to permanent exclusion.
These may be suggested if other approaches to improve your child’s behaviour have failed and the school believes a fresh start elsewhere might work.
Off site direction and managed moves require the full knowledge and agreement of all parties involved, including:
- parents or carers
- the pupil
- the home school
- the receiving school
Headteachers must follow our formal procedure to make sure that negotiations between all parties can be fully supported by the local authority.
When a managed move is appropriate
Consideration for off site direction or a managed move must form an important part of your child's behaviour intervention plan, pastoral support plan or equivalent document, and be in their best interest.
Off site direction or a managed move should:
• be considered as a supportive strategy and not a sanction
• begin before the pupil reaches the point of being permanently excluded
• be used as an intervention strategy to give an opportunity for a fresh start
• stop repeated challenging behaviour which would have otherwise led to suspension
Schools who are unsure if off site direction or a managed move is an appropriate strategy to use can contact us for further advice and support. Parents or carers should discuss this in the first instance with their child’s school.
Children and young people who have been released from custody
When children and young people are released from custody, the PRT will support them back into education.
If a mainstream school is considered appropriate then a school place should be applied for using the Fair Access Protocol
If it is felt that they would need more targeted support, then a place at an Alternative Provision would be sought through an exceptional referral. Please contact PRT for more information.
PRT will liaise closely with the current education provider and any other services involved to support the transition into the new provision.
Additional information and support can be found here:
School admissions – Lincolnshire County Council
Youth offending service – Lincolnshire County Council
