PROTOCOL. Managed Moves Issued Feb 2012

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1 PROTOCOL Managed Moves Issued Feb 2012 In the overseas context SCE does not maintain Pupil Referral Units nor does it have the continuum or provision normally available within an English Local Authority for children or a young people who are at risk of being permanently excluded. SCE schools are spread worldwide with considerable distances between most secondary schools. Another school place may not be available in the local station or garrison. Additionally in the interests of a genuine fresh start, head teachers may take the view that a managed move to a local school may not be the most appropriate action. The option of a managed move and its success may therefore be significantly reduced due to the distances between schools on individual stations and garrisons. Where distance is an obstacle and where a move further afield was felt to be more appropriate, the viability of travel arrangements would need to be thoroughly investigated through consultation with the school, the Unit and Chain of Command. The proposed solutions will, in such cases, need to be agreed by parents and the pupil involved.

2 Document information Title Managed Moves Protocol Reference number 1/2/9/1 Supersedes New document Date of issue February 2012 Review date July 2013 Review by & lead member of staff AEO SEN Prepared by AEO SEN Consultation Impact Assessment Implementation Supply / distribution Available as a read-only document on the SCE Web plus one hard copy to each school & setting Other relevant approved documents Approved by Executive Board Authorised by AD P&FS Service Children s Education Protocol Managed Moves (Pupils) 2

3 Latest guidance The revised 2008 DfE guidance recommends a managed move as one of three alternatives to exclusion: A number of different alternatives may be available to head teachers in response to a serious breach of behaviour (including a) managed move to another school to enable the pupil to have a fresh start in a new school. The head teacher may ask another head teacher to admit the pupil. This should only be done with the full knowledge and co-operation of all the parties involved, including the parents and the LEA, and in circumstances where it is in the best interests of the pupil concerned. In order to fully address the pupil s difficulties it may be helpful for schools within an area to have a protocol in place and to have a full support package in place for the pupil. Parents should never be pressured into removing their child from the school under threat of permanent exclusion, nor should pupils names be deleted from the school roll on disciplinary grounds unless the formal permanent exclusion procedures set out in statute and in this guidance have been adhered to. The overseas context: In the overseas context, SCE does not have the continuum of provision normally available within an English Local Authority. SCE schools are spread worldwide with considerable distances between most secondary schools. Another school place may not be available in the local garrison. Additionally in the interests of a genuine fresh start, head teachers may take the view that a managed move to a local school might not be the most appropriate. The option of a managed move and its success may therefore be significantly reduced due to the distances between schools on individual stations and garrisons. Where distance is an obstacle and where a move further afield was felt to be more appropriate, the viability of travel arrangements would need to be investigated through consultation with the school, the Unit and Chain of Command. The proposed solutions will, in such cases, need to be agreed by parents and the pupil involved. Which pupils? As guidance recommends, a managed move should only be considered when it is in the best interests of the pupil concerned: Where the young person is likely to be permanently excluded in response to a serious breach or persistent breaches, of the school's behaviour policy; and where allowing the pupil to remain in school would seriously harm the education or welfare of the pupil or others in the school Where a pupil has a long history of challenging behaviour and interventions through Pastoral Support Plans have been unsuccessful Where the relationship between the pupil and either a particular group of fellow pupils and/or staff has broken down to an irrevocable degree For pupils in the spring or summer terms of year 9 where the opportunity exists for a fresh start with the possibility if a disapplied curriculum in year 10 (forward planning is essential in this type of move to maximise the chance of a college based flexible curriculum) However, as a managed move is an alternative to permanent exclusion, schools should not initiate the process when in the head s view the pupil cannot in any circumstances return Service Children s Education Protocol Managed Moves (Pupils) 3

4 All arrangements are voluntary It should be stressed that this protocol puts head teachers under no pressure to accept a pupil when a managed move is not felt to be in the interests of the pupil, or of pupils in the school. Nor can a head teacher be put under any pressure to attempt a managed move unless the head teacher feels it is in the best interest of all parties. Pathways Pathways for a managed move will be considered on a case by case basis and any decision will be determined by geography, pupil need and the locally available sources. For a pupil with a long history of challenging behaviour this should be in consultation with the Pupil and Family Services Team Around the School (P & FS TAS) and the Assistant Education Officer, AEO (SEN) through the Pastoral Support Plan review meetings or an Annual Review for a Statemented pupil. For a pupil facing permanent exclusion for a sufficiently serious offence, this should be as a result of consultation between the head teacher, the AEO (SEN) and the relevant members of staff such as the SENCo and/or Pastoral Head. In all managed moves however, a clear rationale must be established for an improvement in the behaviour of the pupil at the receiving school. Role of Pupil Support, Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) A pupil s managed move can be further supported by the involvement of the Pupil Support (EOTAS) role. The level of involvement and nature of support will be determined through negotiation between the schools involved and the AEO (SEN). Transition It will usually be easier for a new pupil to join a new school at a natural break either at the beginning of a new term or after half term. The aim should be to have no more than 4 weeks between planning a move and starting a new school. The final decision The head teacher in discussion with the School Governance Committee (SGC) and the AEO (SEN) should decide a managed move is an appropriate alternative to exclusion. Once that decision is reached, the head teacher will make an informal approach to another school concerning the feasibility of a managed move. The head teacher of the receiving school is under no obligation to accept the pupil. If however the head teacher of the receiving school does give a favourable response, the head teacher should approach the parents of the pupil for their agreement in implementing strategy. Only if the parent(s) are in full knowledge and approval not under pressure of any kind should the process go ahead. The role of HQ SCE The role of HQ SCE is to facilitate a proposed managed move; giving advice on best practice and helping schools liaise with relevant agencies. It will not be the role of the HQ to attempt to persuade either school to agree to a managed move. However should a head teacher decide to pursue this option. Service Children s Education Protocol Managed Moves (Pupils) 4

5 Where a school decides a managed move is not in the best interests of the pupil and the pupil is subsequently permanently excluded, the AEO (SEN) may quite legitimately enquire whether the head teacher has given any consideration to a managed move, as suggested as an option to permanent exclusion in DfE guidance. Pupil History In any approach to a new school all relevant details of the pupil s history should be fully revealed and no attempt to minimise the nature and extent of the challenge the pupil may represent. If a receiving head teacher is minded to accept the pupil, he may wish to invite the pupil and his or her parents to an initial interview on which to base a decision whether or not to continue. Planning the move If a managed move is agreed, there will be some pupils for whom it will be appropriate to put a Pastoral Support Plan in place. But not all pupils fall into this category and each case should be treated on an individual basis. In all cases a meeting should be held at either the new or current school. The meeting should be chaired by the receiving head teacher and attended by the pupil, parent(s) and relevant professionals from both schools including the P & FS TAS. Depending on availability, and the nature of the challenge the young person presents, the meeting may also include the Head of Year, SENCo or Pastoral Head and/or the class teacher. The meeting should aim to: Make clear to all parties the basis on which the managed move is taking place Underline the receiving school s expectations in terms of behaviour Detail the programme of support to be put into place for the pupil, with review dates Agree practical arrangements such a starting date, tutor group, timetable, travel and uniform The P & FS TAS attached to the receiving school will regard pupils involved in a managed move as a priority. Looked after children As the corporate parent BFSWS in partnership with SCE will see the rights of looked after children involved in managed moves as a priority. SEN The Annual Review Process When a Statemented pupil is the subject of a managed move, the school of origin has responsibility for the annual review during the initial trial period. Once this period has been successfully completed the receiving school will assume responsibility. Ongoing support Once at a new school, an appropriate member of staff will be responsible for monitoring levels of support and for making the necessary referrals to support services, as with any other young person presenting behavioural or emotional difficulties. Service Children s Education Protocol Managed Moves (Pupils) 5

6 If a managed move goes ahead the pupil will have a trial period at the agreed school, the length of which will be determined by the head teachers involved as a minimum this will take two weeks and be no longer than one term (or 14 weeks if joining mid-term). Pupils will remain on roll at the original school during this time, the receiving school will record the pupil s attendance and inform the original school which will then not have to record an unauthorised absence. The pupil can be returned to the original school if at any time during the trial period the head teacher at the receiving school deems the reintegration to have broken down. Following the trial period Once a term (or 14 weeks) has passed, the pupil is placed on roll at the new school, where they will enjoy the same rights of tenure to a school place as any other. Transport Where a managed move creates the need for daily transport to/from school/home not normally provided within the Garrison contract, negotiations for a provision will take place between the receiving school in liaison with the AEO (SEN) and the Garrison provider. Exceptional funding When a pupil is subject to a managed move funding will be provided to the receiving school by HQ SCE through the Exceptional Funding process. This will be a one-off payment up to a maximum of Reciprocity While it is understandable that a school which agrees to admit a pupil on a managed move would quite fairly expect the pupil s previous school to co-operate in any future return managed move, this should only be contemplated where it is in the best interests of the pupil concerned. If things go wrong Where a pupil on a managed move commits a sufficiently serious one off offence at the receiving school that would merit a permanent exclusion, the receiving school should impose the exclusion and the governors at that school should review the exclusion in the normal way. However, the permanent exclusion would be recorder s from the school of origin where the pupil was still on rol. When, after the trial period, a managed move proves unsuccessful the pupil will be referred to the AEO (SEN) at HQ SCE. Further options and next steps, which may include the family s repatriation to the UK, will be explored in consultation with the school, the Unit, Chain of Command and parents. Service Children s Education Protocol Managed Moves (Pupils) 6