Managed Moves and Off-Site Directions
Managed moves
There are occasions when a child can display inappropriate behaviours in school and in line with a school's behaviour policy a managed move may be considered as a behavioural strategy to prevent a suspension or further suspensions and reduce the risk of a child being permanently excluded.
A managed move can be considered as part of a measured response to supporting a child's emotional, social and behavioural needs.
What is a managed move?
A managed move is a voluntary agreement between two schools, a child and their parent/carer, and endorsed by Together for Children. It is used to initiate a process which leads to the transfer of a child to another mainstream school permanently. A managed move is different to that of an off-site directed placement in that it is a voluntary arrangement, the child will move permanently to the new school, and the child will be provided with a support package for a period of six weeks from their previous school. It is also slightly different to an in-year school transfer in that additional support is offered during the first six weeks of the move to that which would be normally expected when a child transfers from one school to another mid-year.
Parents/carers have the right to apply for a school place at any time and do not necessarily have to participate in a managed move.
A managed move should not be an early or first response to inappropriate behaviours displayed by a child. It is expected that schools will have considered accessing support from appropriate services, and where a child has a special educational need, has made reasonable adjustments to meet a child's needs.
For further information on Managed Moves, please see the Managed Moves Protocols provided below.
Off-site directions
There may be instances when a pupil is finding access to their mainstream school challenging and may require an alternative environment to their current school setting. A governing body of a maintained school, or an academy, under their general powers, can arrange alternative off-site provision to improve a pupil's behaviour. Schools can arrange off-site provision, independently with alternative providers or to an alternative school, as an off-site direction.
What is an off-site direction?
An off-site direction is a temporary measure and schools will be expected to work with high quality alternative providers to ensure a continuum of support is available for pupils for whom good behaviour cultures and policies are not working. It must be recognised that this strategy is used not as a means of avoiding a permanent exclusion., but merely to provide an alternative solution to improve behaviour and is applicable to schools in Sunderland.
Schools can also arrange an off-site direction with alternative providers independently or they can refer children to Together for Children commissioned alternative provisions by referring them to the Vulnerable Pupils Panel.
An off-site direction does not need consent of the parent/carer however it is in the best interests of pupils that families, schools and professionals working with the pupil work together to ensure a successful overall outcome.
For further information on Off-Site Directions, please see the Off-Site Direction Protocols provided below.
Contact us
For general enquiries and further advice on Managed Moves and Off-Site Directions you can contact:
Michelle Burlinson, Inclusion and Access Officer
Tel: 07769 887602
Email: michelle.burlinson@togetherforchildren.org.uk
Shelley Robson, Inclusion Support Officer, Inclusion and Access
Tel: 07765 429145
Email: shelley.robson@togetherforchildren.org.uk
