Managed moves to another school

What are Managed Moves?

A managed move is used to initiate a process which leads to the transfer of a child or young person to another mainstream school permanently. Managed moves should be voluntary and agreed with all parties involved, including the parents or carers and the admission authority of the new school.

If a temporary move needs to occur to improve a pupil’s behaviour, then offsite direction (more information about this can be in pages 36-47 of the governments suspension guidance) (opens link in new window) should be used.

Managed moves should only occur when it is in the child or young person's best interests.

A managed move may be suggested in the following situations:

Where a pupil refuses to attend their current school;
Where a pupil is at risk of permanent exclusion from their current school.
Where a pupil is posing a risk to the welfare of others at their current school;
Where a pupil has Special Educational Needs (SEND), not EHCP - see info below and is not making progress at their current school or the school is unable to meet the pupil’s needs.

Where a pupil has an EHCP any move to a new school will need to be discussed at an EHCP review and the new school will need to be consulted as to whether they can meet the needs of the child or young person or not. (Note - the final decision about where to place a child or young person with an EHCP is made by the local authority)

Managed moves should be offered as part of a planned intervention (ie what the school has done to meet the needs of the child or young person). The original school should be able to evidence that appropriate initial intervention has been carried out, including, where relevant, multi-agency support, or any statutory assessments were done or explored prior to a managed move.

The managed move should be preceded by information sharing between the original school and the new school, including data on prior and current attainment, academic potential, a risk assessment and advice on effective risk management strategies. It is also important for the new school to ensure that the child or young person is provided with an effective integration strategy.

If a parent or carer 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 (see the Kirklees school complaints page here) (opens link in new window)

Ofsted will consider any evidence found of a parent or carer 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.

As managed moves are voluntary agreements, there is no statutory scheme governing their use and no governmental guidance on how the process should work. However, best practice suggests that there should be a number of clear stages as detailed below:

The school appoints a facilitator to oversee a managed move agreement.
The headteacher informs parents or carers in writing of the situation and proposal for
a managed move.
The facilitator and headteacher discuss options and alternatives for the pupil
involved.
The facilitator contacts other schools or Pupil Referral Units which might be suitable
and parent/carers can input into this process.
The facilitator holds a meeting with parent/carers to explain the situation and options.
The school hosts a managed move meeting. This should be attended by a
representative of the school, the pupil and his or her family, any member of the
school harmed by the pupil’s behaviour and the facilitator responsible for the move.
The managed move agreement should be drawn up and agreed to by all parties.

There may be the following advantages to agreeing to a managed move:

A managed move may be a viable alternative to a permanent exclusion, because the focus is on a fresh start for the pupil and providing support and services to the pupil in their new educational placement or programme.
Both of the schools, the parents and carers and the pupils are fully involved in the process and must agree before the managed move goes ahead.
A managed move can ensure a transition with minimal disruption to a child’s education and without the need to go down the appeals route against a permanent exclusion.
It is important that parents and pupils are fully informed before consenting to a managed move; if you are unsure, you should seek advice on this.

BACS

Managed moves are managed by Kirklees Behaviour and Attendance Collaborative (BACS) which is a group formed by schools in Kirklees to manage moves between schools. There are two BACS groups - North and South.

The purpose of the two BACS groups is to collaboratively meet as South and North (based on school locality) and share best practice for attendance and behaviour.

Schools share their current figures and any positive strategies that are working within their schools. They also discuss anonymous student cases where respite places may be required as well as supportive moves. We also have external agencies in attendance such as admissions and local Alternative Provision (AP (opens link in new window)) offers. This allows us to share and receive up to date information and relevant data.

BACS

Useful links

Suspension advice for schools