If your child has been excluded

Sometimes, a school will issue an exclusion for a child, which means that they cannot attend the school.

This can be fixed term, which is generally for a few days, or permanent which means they cannot return to the school and a new school should be found.

What do I do if my child has been excluded?

It's best to start by contacting your Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). There are organisations that can help you too.

You are entitled to make ‘written representations’ which must be considered by governors for any fixed term or permanent exclusion. This is your chance to share both yours and your child’s view on the incident and to give the school reasons why they should reconsider their decision to exclude.

You also have the right to see your child’s school records, which might be helpful if you are challenging their decision to exclude.

If your child's permanent exclusion is upheld

If after considering your 'written representations', the governing body still does not change the decision to exclude your child then you can ask for this decision to be reviewed by an independent review panel.

If you think/know your child has SEND, then you can ask for a SEN expert to be present at the independent review panel meeting.

If the decision still remains to permanently exclude your child, then their education becomes our (Hertfordshire County Council's) responsibility. We should provide full-time education no later than day 6 of the exclusion.

What does permanent exclusion mean for my child?

While no-one wants their child to be permanently excluded, it doesn't mean the end of their education. If they are of compulsory school age (up to 16 years) then then we (Hertfordshire County Council) must provide an alternative educational provision for them. This could be at another school (mainstream or specialist) or at a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). As long as they can access education, then they keep their options open for either going onto college or an apprenticeship. There are lots of different types of qualifications, which suit different levels of abilities and learning styles.

Permanent exclusion doesn't have to affect your employability either. For a first job the employer might want a reference from your child’s place of education, which is something to be aware of but these can be taken from schools attended after the permanent exclusion. It is important for you to know, in case you feel pressured by the thought of a permanent exclusion “on your child’s record”. Services for Young People provide support for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) - they can help a young person (aged 13 - 19, or up to 24 if they have learning difficulties or disabilities) to get back into education or employment.

Independent organisations who can help

SENDIASS

Provide impartial and confidential information, advice and support to parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

HPCI's Parent Guide to exclusions, suspensions and other attendance issues (PDF 347kb)

Herts Parent Carer Involvement have produced this helpful guide for parents and carers of children with SEND, which covers exclusions, part-time timetables, managed moves and more.

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

Free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

SOS!SEN

Free, friendly, independent and confidential telephone helpline for parents and others looking for information and advice on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). 0300 302 3731

Page was last updated on: 15/08/2023 16:08:43

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