References in parentheses are to the Suspension and Permanent Exclusions Guidance September 2024 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
A managed move is used to begin a process which leads to the transfer of a pupil to another mainstream school permanently, under controlled circumstances.
Unlike direction off-site, managed moves are a voluntary agreement and can only happen with the consent of all involved, including the parents and the admission authority of the new school (para 48 of statutory guidance).
They should only occur when it is in the pupil’s best interests (para 48).
If a temporary move needs to occur to improve a pupil’s behaviour, then off-site direction should be used (see separate resource as this involves a series of governor duties.)
If a parent believes that they are being pressured into a managed move or is unhappy with a managed move, they can take up the issue through the school’s formal complaints procedure with the governing board and, where appropriate, the local authority.
If the governing board receives such a complaint, they will need to consider the following:
- Managed moves should be offered as part of a planned intervention (para 50)
- What evidence is there that appropriate initial intervention has been undertaken, including seeking advice from the Specialist Education Services?
- Does the pupil have any special educational needs or disabilities? If so, what support has been offered to address these needs and how has the impact been reviewed?
- Has multi-agency support or a statutory assessment been explored?
- Managed moves should only occur when it is in the pupil’s best interests (para 48)
- What are the views, wishes and feelings of the pupil and parent/carer?
- Does the pupil have SEND which would make a change of environment particularly difficult to manage?
- Is there evidence the pupil would benefit from a fresh start? Has the pupil or parents expressed this?
- Will the managed move arrangements provide a supported start for the pupil?
- What evidence is there that the new environment would help the pupil to engage better with learning?
- Does the child have an EHC plan? (para 49)
- If yes, was the LA Family Services team contacted when a managed move was first explored?
- An early review of the EHC plan would enable all relevant practitioners to explore all options for the pupil and possible amendments as per sections 37 and 44 of the Children and Families Act.
- Is the pupil a Looked after Child?
- If yes, has the school contacted the Virtual School Head (VSH)? The VSH, working with the Designated Teacher and others, should consider what additional assessment and support need to be put in place to help the school address the factors affecting the child’s behaviour (para 60)
- All looked-after children should have a Personal Education Plan (PEP). Has the PEP been reviewed every term and any concerns about the pupil’s behaviour recorded, as well as how the pupil is being supported to improve their behaviour (as per para 61)? Has advice been sought from the VSH regarding additional strategies for supporting the pupil? (para 62)
- The managed move should be preceded by information sharing between the original school and the new school(para 51)
- Has information been shared between your school and the receiving school including data on prior and current attainment, academic potential, a risk assessment and advice on effective risk management strategies?
- Has the new school put together an effective re-integration plan which could reassure the family?
NB Within the school inspections framework, under leadership and management, Ofsted will consider any evidence found of a parent being pressured into a managed move that has resulted in off-rolling and is likely to judge a school as inadequate on the basis of such evidence (para 52).
The threat of exclusion must never be used to influence parents to remove their child from the school.
Managed moves are usually subject to a trial period in the new school. Pupils can be returned to the original school if the placement fails.
