The pupil reintegration team
The pupil reintegration team are a service to support schools and children that are experiencing challenging behaviour and emotional based school avoidance (EBSA). We promote the inclusion of vulnerable young people and help to reduce isolation and exclusion from school.
We support head teachers, schools, parents and other agencies working with pupils who are at risk of permanent exclusion. We offer guidance for schools and governors, and best practice solutions regarding behaviour management, developing efficient management systems, encouraging good practice through partnership working and reducing the incidences of disruptive behaviour and exclusions. We will support at pastoral support plan (PSP) meetings and subsequent meetings up to and following a permanent exclusion. We also offer training for governors around exclusions.
We provide early intervention and support and are responsible for ensuring that pupils, who have been permanently excluded from either a Lincolnshire school or school from other local authorities where the pupil resides in Lincolnshire, are placed in appropriate, alternative educational provision (AP) from the sixth day of their permanent exclusion. We support schools and families by providing advice relating to legal processes, following a permanent exclusion, including pupil discipline committee meetings and independent review panels.
Further guidance on promoting positive behaviour in schools and the government website regarding behaviour in schools support for headteachers
See our school attendance page for more information
We also support head teachers, schools, parents and other agencies working with pupils who are at risk of EBSA. We offer a wide range of support to schools in relation to EBSA and there is an EBSA pathway in place to enable schools to implement robust whole school systems as well as individual meaningful support to remove the barriers that cause EBSA. EBSA caseworkers are able to support with identifying signs of EBSA, offer consultations, training and advice, share good practice, guide through the implementation of thorough and meaningful cycles of assess, plan, do and review and signpost to alternative agencies for advice and information. Further information about EBSA and the EBSA pathway
The Lincolnshire ladder of behavioural intervention
The Lincolnshire ladder of behavioural intervention has been developed with schools for schools and outlines what schools, using good practice expectations, can do to meet the needs of pupils whose behaviour is challenging.
The ladder comprises several steps.
The pre-ladder step looks at whole school training to support behaviour and relationships as well as considering an early help assessment to look at anything else that may be a factor.
The first step is school-led. Practitioners must identify the underlying causes of challenging behaviour by undertaking both cognitive and holistic assessments. In addition to this, schools will use a screening tool to identify any significant behaviour patterns. They will intervene and put support and adjustments in place as appropriate.
If such intervention does not result in an improvement in behaviour, then the school must implement a pastoral support plan (PSP) which is solutions-focussed and lasts for at least two terms, to allow the pupil time to demonstrate progress.
Caseworkers from the PRT will support schools at the next step to ensure additional, external help can be accessed if needed.
If the concerns remain, then the PSP forms the basis of a referral to the Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS) and the school is able to access specialist support within the setting for the pupil.
If this affects no positive change, a pre-exclusion referral can be made for consideration at the Lincolnshire Intervention Panel (IP). This enables the pupil to benefit from intensive support away from the base-school, but remains dual-registered. (This is time limited to support re-integration into their school). Throughout their time in the placement, the alternative provision will work with the school to devise a plan to support a return to the mainstream school.
Other Lincolnshire support for the ladder
SEND Advice Line for Lincolnshire (Ask SALL)
Alternative Provision guidance
Information and support
Suspensions
Suspensions, also known as fixed term exclusions, mean that your child is not allowed in school for a set number of days for disciplinary reasons.
We can offer for you and your child:
- telephone and email advice on all matters relating to preventing suspension and exclusions
- attendance at school meetings where preventing suspension or permanent exclusion is one of the main factors
You can find more information about:
- the reasons for rules and suspensions (ACE education website)
- who has the authority to suspend a child from school (GOV.UK)
For further advice surrounding suspensions contact us.
Permanent exclusions
A permanent exclusion is used by schools as a last resort. It means that the excluded child can no longer attend the school, unless the governing board directs reinstatement.
This decision is usually based on a serious incident, inside or outside school, or persistently disruptive behaviour inside or outside of school.
You can find information on the ACE education website regarding:
- the standard of proof
- having a say in a permanent exclusion
- unofficial exclusions
- children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
- other factors affecting an exclusion (such as a bereavement)
- what happens during the exclusion
- finding a new school
See the Department of Education's guidance on the law behind permanent exclusions.
Finding a school after a permanent exclusion
When a child has been permanently excluded from school, we will:
- contact the parent or carer
- help to explain the appeals process
- help to explain the child's education going forward
- support the child and family through the process
- we'll place your child at an alternative education provider, such as a pupil referral unit, unless they have an education, health and care plan (EHC).
The Lincolnshire Fair Access panel allocates places to children who have been permanently excluded from secondary school, and it will consider any preferences that a parent or carer may have. However, a place at a preferred school cannot be guaranteed.
Placement is sought as soon as it is felt that your child is ready to return to mainstream school and in discussion with the child and their parent or carer.
If the allocated school is over three miles from the home address then free transport is provided, which is usually a bus pass.
Off site direction and managed moves
Off site direction can be used as a temporary move to improve a pupil’s behaviour, or as part of a time limited placement at another mainstream school with the intention that it will lead to a managed move. (as described in paragraphs 35 to 46 suspension and permanent exclusion from maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units in England, including pupil movement)
A managed move is a carefully planned transfer of a child from one school to another, and is often used as an alternative to permanent exclusion.
These may be suggested if other approaches to improve your child’s behaviour have failed and the school believes a fresh start elsewhere might work.
Off site direction and managed moves require the full knowledge and agreement of all parties involved, including:
- parents or carers
- the pupil
- the home school
- the receiving school
Headteachers must follow our formal procedure to make sure that negotiations between all parties can be fully supported by the local authority.
When a managed move is appropriate
Consideration for off site direction or a managed move must form an important part of your child's behaviour intervention plan, pastoral support plan or equivalent document, and be in their best interest.
Off site direction or a managed move should:
• be considered as a supportive strategy and not a sanction
• begin before the pupil reaches the point of being permanently excluded
• be used as an intervention strategy to give an opportunity for a fresh start
• stop repeated challenging behaviour which would have otherwise led to suspension
Schools who are unsure if off site direction or a managed move is an appropriate strategy to use can contact us for further advice and support. Parents or carers should discuss this in the first instance with their child’s school.
Children and young people who have been released from custody
When children and young people are released from custody, the PRT will support them back into education.
If a mainstream school is considered appropriate then a school place should be applied for using the Fair Access Protocol
If it is felt that they would need more targeted support, then a place at an Alternative Provision would be sought through an exceptional referral. Please contact PRT for more information.
PRT will liaise closely with the current education provider and any other services involved to support the transition into the new provision.
Additional information and support can be found here:
School admissions – Lincolnshire County Council
Youth offending service – Lincolnshire County Council