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Suspension and exclusion guidance: summary of changes

Get up to speed with key changes to the statutory suspension and permanent exclusion guidance, in effect from 26 July 2026, including a new safeguarding protocol and updated expectations for managed moves.

New
on 29 May 2026
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 53535
Contents
  1. The updated guidance comes into force from 26 July 2026
  2. You can temporarily keep pupils off-site for safeguarding purposes
  3. Managed moves are permanent and cannot be used as trials
  4. The guidance now specifies the information to provide to parents about off-site direction
  5. Academies must follow the same procedures for off-site direction as maintained schools
  6. There are new off-site direction powers for PRUs
  7. Consider interim PEP reviews for looked-after children at risk of suspension or exclusion
  8. Be alert to off-rolling
  9. There are enhanced data monitoring expectations for governing boards
  10. Be aware of these additional clarifications on meetings

The updated guidance comes into force from 26 July 2026

The DfE has published a new version of its statutory suspension and permanent exclusion guidance for maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units (see the document labelled 'comes into force from 26 July 2026'). 

To be ready for when it comes into effect, you should:

  • Update your suspension and permanent exclusion policy
  • Review your procedures on the use of off-site direction and managed moves
  • Make your DSL aware of the new ability to temporarily forbid a pupil from the premises for safeguarding reasons (see below)
  • Academies: follow transitional requirements if you have existing off-site placements (you'll find more detail about this later in the article)

You can temporarily keep pupils off-site