Section 19: by reason of ‘otherwise’
In Lincolnshire, there is an established Local Area expectation and agreement for inclusion to be embedded throughout all schools and a commitment to fully engage with and implement available provision and support to meet children’s needs as early as possible.
Partners in education, health and social care are committed to working together to establish an integrated school system where children get the right health, care and education, in the right place, at the right time and are able to transition to adulthood and independence when they are ready to do so.
‘High quality inclusive education where children and young people feel they belong, are respected, and are optimistic and aspirational about their future’.
Lincolnshire's Inclusion Strategy
Considering a request for alternative provision for ‘other reasons’ is part of the local authority’s duty under Section 19. The local authority discharges this duty through the Pupil Reintegration Team (PRT), or, for children with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, through the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Team, or for children on a return to school pathway, through the Education Welfare and Engagement Team. As this often involves parent/carer concerns that their child’s needs are not being met, the appropriate team will lead and facilitate the work with the school and the family to assess any underlying needs and recommend reasonable adjustments and provision to meet those needs. This includes involving relevant professionals and agencies such as Early Help, social care, the Working Together Team, the Education Welfare and Engagement (EWE) Team, and mental health support and agencies, as well as the Quality and Effectiveness Team at a strategic level.
Section 436A of the Education Act 1996 requires the Local Authority to make arrangements to identify, as far as possible, children who are not registered at a school and those not receiving a suitable education otherwise.
For children who are without a school place, i.e. not registered on the roll of a school and therefore Children Missing Education (CME), the Local Authority discharges their duty through the EWE Team. A return to school would normally, where possible, be facilitated through supporting families to apply via the in-year admissions application process, or a School Attendance Order (SAO) in nearly all other circumstances.
For children who have been removed from a school roll, with the intention to home educate and that home education is not deemed suitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they have, the Local Authority discharges their duty through the EWE Team. Where the education being provided at home is not suitable, it is expedient that a child be returned to school, either through parental choice or by use of an SAO.