Suspensions and exclusions guidance: changes from September 2022

Updated guidance on suspensions and exclusions came into effect from September for new cases arising from that point onwards. Here we help you sort through what's changed and what hasn't so you can start the new year with confidence.

Last reviewed on 12 September 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 45083
Contents
  1. Quick summary: what's changed?
  2. Reporting on suspensions and exclusions
  3. Involving the pupil in the decision to suspend or exclude
  4. Providing education during the first 5 days of suspension or exclusion
  5. Off-rolling and unlawful exclusions
  6. Suspending or excluding children with social workers
  7. The DSL's role in suspensions and exclusions
  8. The roles of the virtual school head (VSH) and social workers in suspensions and exclusions
  9. Successfully reintegrating pupils following suspension
  10. Using off-site direction and managed moves to prevent exclusions
  11. The board's role in monitoring pupil moves
  12. The board's procedures for reviewing suspensions and exclusions

Quick summary: what's changed?

The updated guidance on suspensions and exclusions came into effect on 1 September 2022, and applies to maintained schools, academies, alternative provision academies and pupil referral units.

The changes aren't as sweeping as anticipated

While the government's response to the Timpson report in 2019 suggested some major changes might be on the way, it's now clear that:

  • Your school still won't be held accountable for the outcomes of permanently excluded pupils
  • LAs continue to bear financial responsibility for placing pupils who are permanently excluded

Additionally, the promised guidance on the use of removal from classrooms (also called 'internal exclusion') can be found in the DfE's updated behaviour guidance.

Here are the headlines on what's changed

New rules around whom the headteacher must notify of a suspension or exclusion, and when: In addition to notifying parents, you must now also notify the governing board

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