Statutory Duties

Local authorities are responsible for arranging suitable full-time education for permanently excluded pupils, and for other pupils who - because of illness or other reasons - would not receive suitable education without such provision. This applies to all children of compulsory school age resident in the local authority area, whether or not they are on the roll of a school, and whatever type of school they attend. Full-time education for excluded pupils must begin no later than the sixth day of the exclusion.

Local authorities have a power (not a duty) to arrange education provision, where not already available, for pupils aged 16-18.  

While 'full-time' is not defined in law, pupils in alternative provision should receive the same amount of education as they would receive in a maintained school. Full-time can be made up of two or more part-time provisions.

In Hillingdon, the Exclusions Team commission the provision for children permanently excluded. This provision is provided from the sixth day of the exclusion (or first day for a child looked after by the authority (LAC). These places are commissioned at The Skills Hub.  

In addition, if it is found that a child or young person of compulsory school age is not in receipt of a suitable education either on roll at a school or otherwise, the team can commission an interim alternative provision, whilst securing the child a school place.