Process for considering section 19 requests
Process step 1 - request for section 19 received
- sent to head of service for inclusion
- acknowledgement sent to requester by pupil reintegration team (PRT) panel clerk
Process step 2 - request considered at section 19 panel meeting:
- PRT panel clerk sets up meeting
- PRT team manager, quality and effectiveness team manager, education welfare and engagement (EWE) CME lead, SEND team manager (if EHC plan). Involving caseworkers as needed or where involved
- consider correct route of support. Outcome letter sent to requester
Process step 3 - lead:
- illness - PRT, or SEND team if EHC plan and linked to the child's SEND
- exclusion - PRT
- otherwise - PRT, or SEND team if EHC plan, or EWE team if return to school pathway
Process step 4 - outcomes
- agreed - proceed to process step 5
- request not agreed at this time - proceed to process step 6
- multi-agency meeting - proceed to process step 5 or 6, or take no further action
- request not agreed - no further action
Process step 5 - agreed
- alternative provision to be arranged by the lead team
Process step 6 - request not agreed at this time
- receiving, or can be supported to receive, suitable education at their education setting
- three-month check-ins, supplemented by multi-agency working as appropriate or needed
Timescales
There are no statutory timescales for considering a request. However, as the child is out of school, it is important to:
- prioritise consideration
- make an informed decision as soon as possible
We aim to:
- acknowledge receipt of the request within five working days
- make and communicate the outcome decision of the section 19 panel meeting within 15 working days after the request has been made
This may not always be possible. It is important to communicate regularly with the requester to keep them informed of progress towards a decision and outcomes.