Ask the Expert: Dealing with informal exclusions

I have three young people on my caseload who have all been “informally excluded”. What should I do?

The children’s commissioner for England issued a number of recommendations in her report on school exclusions last month.

Crucially, if the young people are in the care of the local authority, you have a parental responsibility and should make sure the school knows of your concern and that you intend to report it unless a better outcome can be negotiated. Don’t act without discussion with, and agreement of, your manager.

If you fail to get a swift and helpful response, the governing body is ultimately accountable for the school and actions of the staff, and should also be told.

“Plan A” should be to keep young people in an appropriate school so they can make progress. Make sure the personal education plan and other plans have identified any necessary support and that it is in place. The young person should be involved throughout and help decide on the best action.

Ultimately, your director of children’s services may need to speak to the head teacher, and the cabinet member to council representatives on the governing body.

Answered by Peter Lewis, a freelance providing interim local authority children’s services leadership, and a former DCS in Haringey

Email questions, marked “Experts”, to cypnow@markallengroup.com