County Managed Move Procedure - Interim Arrangements and Proposed Review

Interim Arrangements

It is necessary for the LEA, in conjunction with schools, to make an amendment to the current managed move procedures for the following reasons:

1. Some confusion arose last year concerning data completion for the relevant Best Value Performance Indicator (BVPI). In some cases it could not be ascertained whether or not a pupil had been permanently excluded and in others when the decision had occurred.

2. Legal advice was sought and it was suggested that we needed to separate out more clearly the process of managed moves from that of exclusion. Subsequent advice from the DfES states that the process towards permanent exclusion can be withdrawn to allow a managed move to take place up until the governors' hearing. The governors' disciplinary hearing cannot, however commute a permanent exclusion to a managed move.

The following minor change to the procedure, which has been agreed with a sub-group of C.A.S.H., is therefore appropriate and timely.

County Managed Move Procedure

'With the agreement of all parties, a headteacher may withdraw a permanent exclusion if a managed move represents a positive way forward. If this is to be pursued, it must occur before the governors' hearing. However, in these circumstances the governors should still meet to ensure that the managed move criteria (which are the same as permanent exclusion criteria) have been met and to ensure that all parties are happy with the proposed managed move. This type of governors' meeting is therefore held to moderate decision making, and is not a disciplinary hearing.'

Review of Managed Move Procedure

It has also been agreed that there will be an update review of the managed move procedure, beginning this term and led by Dave Pearce, Education Officer (Exclusions), in consultation with schools, central staff and other interested parties. The reasons for the review are as follows:

1. When the procedure was extended throughout Norfolk from the central area, it was agreed there would be a review of the procedure and its implementation.
2. Some minor amendments and changes to wording are necessary because of a change in central support staff roles. The activities of the previous temporary Inclusion Coordinators is now permanently part of the role of Attendance and Behaviour Support within Pupil Access and Support Service (PA&SS). The duties will be divided between the LEA's Education Officer (Exclusions), Dave Pearce, and the designated member of staff with a coordination role in each local area. Dave Pearce will be responsible for advice and support to schools and governing bodies concerning the exclusion process and will represent the authority at hearings, as appropriate. He will also lead reviews of policy and procedures. The designated local member of staff will support schools and parents in the process of arranging managed moves. Therefore documentation on managed moves needs to take this into account.
3. The interim changes to the procedure, described above, need to be fully considered and consulted upon.
4. It is necessary to explore the recent DfES guidance, Behaviour in Schools, to consider how this could be incorporated.

In the meantime, I would like to emphasise that the existing procedures as amended above continue to be in place, and to thank you for all your ongoing support to vulnerable children.

Yours sincerely