constitute off-rolling if not in a pupil\u2019s best interests.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNo consistent data on managed moves is collected. So the EPI sought to identify \u201cunexplained\u201d moves \u2013 those that \u201cdo not appear\u201d to be driven by family decisions or circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of pupils finishing year 11 in 2019, around 34,000, or 6 per cent, experienced around 37,000 moves between schools at some point during their five years of secondary school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These moves \u201cdid not occur due to any family reason we could detect in the data\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the 2,959,950 pupils registered in a secondary school, the report found around 30,600, or 1 per cent, experienced unexplained moves in 2018-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Significant variation\u2019 between areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n While data \u201cdoes not tell us whether these moves would all meet the definition of a managed move\u201d, this second figure \u201cprovides an upper bound estimate of the number of managed moves occurring in secondary schools across the country in 2018-19\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But data was only obtained from 66 councils. This mean the lower estimate of managed moves in secondary schools was just over 5,300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the minority of local authorities which held data, at least one in six of all \u201cunexplained school transfers\u201d identified were managed moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rates of moves also ranged between areas from 0.4 to 2.5 per cent of all pupils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James Bowen, assistant general secretary of the NAHT leaders\u2019 union, said managed moves, \u201cdone in the right way, can be positive for all parties\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“However, it is important that there is a clear policy and protocol for managed moves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disadvantaged children more affected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Disadvantaged pupils “disproportionately” experienced unexplained moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One in seventeen pupils overall experienced such a move. But almost one in five pupils with a social, emotional or mental health need did so. One in 10 looked-after pupils or persistently-disadvantaged pupils did so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was also inconsistency in how councils handled moves. One in five did not have a protocol for managed moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some treated them as a “last resort”, not be used for the most vulnerable pupils. Others said they were \u201cemployed as part of a supportive strategy specifically for children with additional needs\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Lack of regulation\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Last year, guidance was updated to state schools should evidence initial interventions before making such moves. Councils should also be involved in moves of pupils with SEND support plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But new guidance and “ongoing lack of regulation do not address the lack of transparency in and oversight of the managed move process”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whitney Crenna-Jennings, associate director for mental health, wellbeing and inclusion at the EPI, said the research \u201creveals worrying trends\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur analysis also exposes inconsistencies in the approach taken to managed moves across different local authorities and makes clear the need for an evidence-based approach, with greater oversight and monitoring of outcomes to identify best practice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recommendations\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nA central data reporting system which captures all moves and the reasons for them, including managed moves and moves into home schooling<\/li>\n\n\n\n Councils should monitor outcomes for pupils who experience managed moves<\/li>\n\n\n\n Greater transparency for local processes for administering managed moves<\/li>\n\n\n\n Clearer advice around \u2018best practice\u2019 for managed moves and the cases in which they should be used<\/li>\n\n\n\n Government guidance and policies around responses to behaviour challenges should be informed by the evidence around how to best support \u201cyoung people with mental health, emotional, and behavioural needs\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n Local processes for administering managed moves should involve an independent representative of the child\u2019s best interests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Research finds tens of thousands of pupils have ‘unexplained’ moves from schools each year<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":94637,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[582],"post-theme":[2533],"class_list":["post-202020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-exclusions","post-theme-behaviour"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t