Managed Moves & Direction off-site for Education

What is direction off-site for the improvement of behaviour?

Direction off-site is different to a managed move because directing a pupil off-site for their education with a view to improving their behaviour, is a specific power given to maintained schools under s.29(3) of the Education Act 2002 and is time limited. It is important that if your child’s school is proposing to send them to another setting for their education, that you clarify with them the legal basis in which they are proposing the move.

“Where interventions or targeted support have not been successful in improving a pupil’s behaviour, off-site direction should be used to arrange time-limited placements at an alternative provision or another mainstream school” Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement

Direction off-site is when a governing body of a maintained school requires a pupil to attend another education setting to improve their behaviour, and this can be done without the consent of parents. Whilst this specific power granted under the Education Act 2002 does not apply to academies, academies can arrange off-site provision for such purposes under their general powers. Although the law and statutory guidance regarding direction off-site does not legally apply to academies, academy trusts are encouraged to follow this guidance as best practice.

Should I be notified if my child is being directed off-site?

Yes. Under regulations, the governing body of maintained schools must give parents (and the local authority – for a pupil with an EHC plan) notice in writing that their child will be directed off-site. This notice should be shared with parents as soon as practicable once the decision has been taken, and not less than two school days before they are due to start at the alternative provision.

This written notice should include-

  • the address of where educational provision is to be provided;
  • information identifying the person to whom the pupil should report to on their first day;
  • the number of days they will be directed off-site for education;
  • the reasons for and objectives of directing the pupil off site; and
  • the times at which they are expected to attend.

What will a direction off site involve?

Depending on the individual needs and circumstances of the pupil, direction off-site can be full-time into alternative provision or a combination of part-time support in alternative provision.

There are different types of settings used as alternative provision, examples used by schools in Rotherham have included:

The placement off site must be kept under review and involve parents in the review. Parents must receive a written invitation no later than 6 days before the date of any review meeting, inviting you to attend the meeting or to submit in writing your views before the meeting. This is your opportunity to share whether you feel off-site direction should continue to have effect. The regulations specify regular reviews must be held but does not specify how often these should take place, and this should be decided on an individual basis. Reviews should be frequent enough to provide assurance that off-site education is achieving its objective and that the pupil is benefitting from it. These reviews should be recorded in writing.

What happens when my child is due to return to their original school?

To support a pupil to reintegrate back into their school, the focus of intervention whilst off-site should remain on ensuring that a pupil continues to receive a broad and balanced curriculum, whilst any inappropriate behaviours which require intervention are being addressed.

It is useful to clarify what the school’s re-integration strategy will be for supporting your child to return to their original school.

 

Further Information and guidance can be obtained from:

Section 29 and 29A of the Education Act 2002

The Education (Education Provision for Improving Behaviour) Regulations 2010

Suspension and Permanent Exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement (July 2022)

Guidance for maintained schools, academies, and pupil referral units in England

Alternative Provision (January 2013)

Statutory guidance for local authorities

Behaviour in Schools (July 2022)

Advice for headteachers and school staff