Promoting inclusion - the three-stage approach and managed transfers

Stage two - Risk of permanent exclusion

The LA has a clear policy 'that every child at risk of permanent exclusion is eligible for, and entitled to, a full assessment and targeted support from the local authority to promote inclusion'. Again, a degree of discretion is required in making a judgment as to when this criterion is met in a given case. Any situations that do not meet the criteria as at risk of permanent exclusion below, but are judged to be of commensurate concern can be discussed with the EIT in advance of any referral to inform decisions regarding the suitability of referrals.

There's a reasonable expectation that unless a referral is made under criteria 3 below, the school and/or lead professional will have held a TAF meeting in accordance with stage one as highlighted above. In cases where this has not been the case, and the risk of permanent exclusion is not judged to be imminent, a request may be made for the school and lead professional to convene such a meeting prior to considering allocation within the FEH services.

In line with the LA FEH eligibility criteria, all children meeting the following criteria are automatically considered to be at risk of permanent exclusion and should be referred via the FEH referral form:

1. Any young person of secondary school age who has received 10 days or more fixed-term exclusions across 3 terms

   or

2. Any child or primary school age who has received 5 days or more fixed-term exclusions across 3 terms

   Additionally, in line with the statutory guidance for exclusions, a referral should be made for:

3. Any child or young person at risk of permanent exclusion as a result of behaviour so serious that remaining in school could seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school

All referrals will be screened by the LA EIT manager and reviewed at the weekly FEH referral and allocation meeting where the full range of early help services available will be considered. Every child or young person judged to be at risk of permanent exclusion under the above criteria, and not already open to a practitioner in the FEH service, is also eligible for a specialist attendance and inclusion consultation with a SEWO irrespective of any other plans in place for the young person.

The allocated SEWO will work alongside the young person, family, school and other professionals to understand and analyse the factors driving the risk of exclusion and collaborate with the family to agree on what kinds of support and intervention will be most helpful in reaching reducing the risk of exclusion. They will also explore all alternatives to exclusion, including managed moves and transfers in collaboration with schools and parents.

The SEWO will convene an alternative to exclusion meeting with the family and all relevant professionals to review the original plan, barriers to progress and whether additional support and intervention is needed for the young person or family. The outcomes of an attendance and inclusion consultation and alternatives to exclusion meeting may include one or more of the following:

1. A step-down to school and other professionals to continue support via a team around the family approach
2. Continuing SEWO support under a bespoke attendance and inclusion plan
3. A ‘whole family’ outreach assessment and intervention from a FEH practitioner
4. Clinical assessment and intervention from Early Help CAMHS or The Nest
5. Parenting support via an accredited and evidence-based parenting programme such as Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities
6. A step-up to Children’s Social Care for an assessment under s. 17 or s. 47 of the Children Act 1989
7. Temporary placement at an alternative provision to prepare for full reintegration
8. Recommendation for a managed move or managed transfer
9. Signposting to another source of support

Although not a statutory requirement, schools and lead professionals are strongly recommended to refer all children and young people at risk of permanent exclusion to the Managed Move Forum. Such an option may be particularly appropriate for children who otherwise have a generally positive school record, but may have engaged in an isolated incident of serious behaviour, and who have demonstrated some remorse and insight into their actions. This forum not only provides an opportunity to consider opportunities to prevent individual children from permanent exclusion with colleagues from local schools, but also provides a forum to explore and share best practice in relation to preventing exclusion.

If you'd like to refer the case to the forum, complete the referral form (appendix 9 ^{(PDF, 159kb)}) and email it to Early Help.

Page last updated: 20 January 2023