Managed moves

Overview

A managed move is a behaviour strategy for children at risk of permanent exclusion.

Generally, the managed move would be suggested by the head teacher of your child’s home school if other approaches to improve your child’s behaviour have failed and the school believes a fresh start elsewhere might work.

Your child moves to a different school for an agreed trial period, usually 6 weeks. If they meet the behaviour targets set, they transfer permanently to the roll of the new school at the end of the trial. If they misbehave or fail to meet their targets, they return to the original school.

A managed move can only happen if you agree to it and if there is another school with places available that is willing to admit your child. Only schools with spaces in the year group and no waiting lists can admit a managed move.

Success factors

A child is more likely to succeed on a managed move if the new school can offer something suitably different in terms of size, location, peer group, teaching team or curriculum.

Both you and your child need to feel the behaviour targets your child has been set are achievable and be committed to supporting the process.

The formal agreement

You and your child should meet with representatives of both schools to discuss the managed move agreement.

This should include:

• information such as where it will be, when it will begin and end, review dates and what the next steps will be;
• an individual education plan for your child with clear behaviour targets that they need to meet to pass;
• the support the receiving school will provide to help your child to succeed;
• the named people at the current school and receiving school who are responsible for supporting your child;
• the person at the home school responsible for all the arrangements.

A managed move can’t go ahead without your consent.

What happens if a managed move fails

Both schools’ behaviour policies apply to your child during their managed move.

A managed move can fail:

• at the end of the trial period if the child has not met the targets set at the initial managed move meeting,
• at any point if the receiving school feels an incident during the placement justifies an exclusion.

The receiving school will tell you and the home school why the managed move is ending.

Your child will return to their previous school. You and your child will be expected to attend a meeting to discuss their future education.

The head teacher of the home school will decide on any disciplinary action that may be required including whether to exclude your child for a fixed period or permanently.

Making a complaint about a managed move

If you disagree with the way your child’s managed move has been handled, first talk to the headteacher of the school concerned, or both schools. If you’re not satisfied, ask for a copy of the school complaints procedure.

If your child fails a managed move, you don’t have any formal rights to challenge the head teacher’s decision. You can challenge exclusion decisions.

When a managed move is not appropriate

A managed move is never an early response when a child is failing at school because of their behaviour.

A managed move is not appropriate when:

• A child has a history of poor attendance (persistent absence)
• A parent is seeking a straightforward transfer to another school
• The child is not on a school roll
• The child would not return to the home school if the placement is unsuccessful

Looked after children and children with an education, health and care plan (EHC) plan would not normally be considered for a managed move.