Reintegration guide for school leaders

Do we have to hold a reintegration meeting?

While the Statutory Instrument requiring a reintegration meeting was revoked as part of the September 2012 revisions to the guidance, it is considered good practice that schools meet with parents and the child or young person (CYP) to discuss the issues and reasons for the suspension and agree a way forward.

Do I need to do anything differently if the CYP has SEND?

Your school's reintegration approach may need to be adapted for CYPs with additional needs. Work with parents, your special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) and any external providers to identify these needs, making reasonable adjustments to the process as necessary.

Example: Some CYPs will need to be told exact details relating to a reintegration in order to feel more secure and safe: which room they will be going to first, what time, how long it will be for, what they will be doing there and what happens next? This could be reinforced with a visual timetable which should be shared with the child and their parents in advance of the reintegration. See more advice on reintegration for CYPs with autism here.

As with all CYPs, individual needs should be considered when planning appropriate in school support. If the CYP already has an EHC plan, bring up any concerns you have during the annual review meeting or request a more urgent meeting to address new concerns.

Expected provision for SEN CYPs is outlined in the Provision Expected at SEN Support (PEaSS) guidance.

What about if the family have English as an additional language (EAL)?

It is important to take further steps to support families who may not be as able to communicate in English so that the family and CYP understand the process of reintegration and can contribute as fully as any other family. Services such as INTRAN can support with interpretation and translation and the Norfolk EAL Advisory Service can provide additional advice, support and guidance.

Can part-time timetables be used as part of the reintegration plan?

A part-time timetable should not be used to manage a CYP's behaviour and must only be in place for the shortest time necessary. A reduced timetable should not be part of your reintegration strategy by default.

Any pastoral support programme or other agreement should have a time limit by which point the CYP is expected to attend full-time, either at school or alternative provision. There should also be formal arrangements in place for regularly reviewing it with the CYP and their parents.

In agreeing to a part-time timetable, a school has agreed to a CYP being absent from school for part of the week or day and therefore must treat absence as authorised. Please see further guidance about attendance here.

Who can I contact if I need more help and guidance?

• If you would like further support for an individual CYP and/or around your whole school culture and ethos, please contact our Inclusion and SEND team on 01603 307736 or email inclusionandsend@norfolk.gov.uk.
• Please see updated DfE guidance on school suspensions and permanent exclusions.
• See Norfolk exclusions guidance here. If you require any further advice about the exclusions process, call the Exclusions Team on 01603 307727 or email csexclusions@norfolk.gov.uk.
• Every school has access to an Attendance and Entitlement Officer for help and advice on issues concerning CYP specific attendance. They can be contacted via email at csattendance@norfolk.gov.uk or via the attendance duty line on 01603 223681.
• Please follow this link for further information and guidance if you have concerns around safeguarding.