Exclusions and alternative provision

Exclusions

Looked after children have disproportionately high rates of exclusion, and they are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of being excluded. The head teacher should, as far as possible, avoid permanently excluding a looked after child.

If a school is concerned a child is at risk of exclusion, they should proactively cooperate with the child’s carers, social worker, and local authority, to consider whether the provision of additional support would help or if an alternative educational placement is required.

In cases where a looked-after child is excluded, anyone seen as a parent has the right to make representations and appeal. This includes the local authority where they have a care order in respect of the child and any person with whom the child lives.

In the event of a child being permanently excluded from school the local authority has a duty to provide full-time alternative education from the sixth day following the exclusion. In the case of a looked after child it is recommended that such provision should be in place from the first day following the exclusion.

For the government guidance to schools on exclusions, see their website here.

Alternative provision

Where education is arranged elsewhere than at a school it is commonly referred to as alternative provision. Alternative provision includes pupil referral units, alternative provision academies and alternative provision free schools. It should involve suitably qualified staff who can help pupils progress and enable them to successfully reintegrate back into school as soon as possible.

No looked after child should be excluded from a school/Pupil Referral Unit without discussion with the local authority, to ensure that there is suitable alternative provision available elsewhere.

Useful pages

Exclusions

Alternative provision

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