School exclusions and managing ‘challenging behaviour’ – Government action

UK Government actions:

• In September 2022, Department for Education (DfE) revised guidance on behaviour in schools and on suspensions and permanent exclusions came into force in England, following a consultation earlier in the year.
• In August 2022, the DfE informed us of plans to minimise the use of restraint in schools in England. Commitments include revised guidance, mandatory recording and reporting of physical restraint to parents, and ensuring every school has a policy covering restraint that sets out the arrangements for recording and monitoring.
• In March 2022, the DfE launched a consultation on the special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision system in England. Along with other reforms, the new system aims to reduce the number of preventable exclusions.
• In March 2022, the DfE published a schools white paper. This set out its intention to consult on a statutory framework to ensure placement decisions are always made in the best interest of the child.
• In February 2020, the DfE launched a three-year ‘behaviour hub’ programme, providing £10 million funding to support schools to improve behaviour management in England.
• In September 2019, Ofsted’s updated education inspection frameworkcame into effect in England. The framework makes clear that ‘off-rolling’ (the process of removing pupils from the school roll without a formal exclusion) is unacceptable in any form.
• In May 2019, the Timpson Review of School Exclusion was published. The review was commissioned in 2018 to consider why some groups of children are more likely to be excluded than others, including children from particular ethnic groups.
• In March 2018, Ofsted published guidance for inspectors in England about evaluating the use, type and recording of restrictive practices during inspections of schools and social care settings.

Welsh Government actions: Education is devolved to the Welsh Government.

• In April 2021, the Welsh Government published the Reducing Restrictive Practices Framework, aimed at tackling the use of practices such as restraint in childcare, education, health and social care settings.
• In October 2020, the Welsh Government published guidance on supporting ‘vulnerable and disadvantaged’ learners. The guidance advises schools to avoid exclusions and states that new regulations are being prepared.
• In September 2020, the Welsh Government published guidance that allowed meetings concerning school exclusions to be held remotely in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• In November 2019, the Welsh Government updated its guidance on exclusions and appeal procedures for both mainstream schools and pupil referral units (PRUs).
• In September 2019, the Welsh Government updated its framework for action to improve the provision of education other than at school, particularly PRUs. The framework includes a commitment to analyse pupil registration and exclusion data.