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Improving behaviour: off-site direction and managed moves

You can temporarily direct pupils with challenging behaviour off your school site. Alternatively, you can carry out a managed move to another school, if the situation calls for a permanent change. Find out more about what both options involve, and what to do if the pupil doesn't attend the AP setting.

Last reviewed on 7 January 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 6896
Contents
  1. What are off-site direction and managed moves?
  2. What to consider before using these interventions
  3. How to direct pupils off site
  4. What to consider ahead of a managed move
  5. If the pupil doesn't attend the AP setting

What are off-site direction and managed moves?

Off-site direction

This is when a governing board of a maintained school requires a pupil to attend another education setting to improve their behaviour. Academies can also arrange off-site provision for this purpose under their general powers.

Off-site direction is a temporary move (i.e. a time-limited placement). 

During the period of off-site direction:

  • The pupil might be in alternative provision (AP) on a part-time schedule with continued mainstream schooling, or full-time for a limited period
  • The pupil must be dual registered (using code D)
  • The governing board must keep the placement under regular review

An off-site direction could lead to a permanent managed move, if that's in the pupil's best interests.

Managed moveThis is used to initiate a process leading to a permanent transfer of a pupil to another mainstream school, as part of a behaviour