Policy Statement

The London Borough of Waltham Forest recognises that a Managed Move can provide a positive, preventative intervention where a permanent change of mainstream school is considered to be in a child's best interests.

Managed Moves are intended to support children to remain in mainstream education, strengthen inclusion and reduce the likelihood of suspension or permanent exclusion.

Managed Moves are founded on partnership, collaboration and the shared commitment of schools, parents or carers and the Council to secure sustainable educational outcomes for children.

Purpose

This section provides an overview of Managed Moves and explains how they relate to the Fair Access Protocol.

It should be read alongside the Council's Managed Move Protocol, which sets out the detailed operational arrangements.

Scope of this Section

This section covers:

• the purpose of Managed Moves;
• the relationship between Managed Moves and the Fair Access Protocol;
• governance responsibilities; and
• the interaction between Managed Moves, the Inclusion Panel and the Fair Access Panel. 

This section does not cover:

• the detailed Managed Move process;
• Fair Access placements;
• Alternative Provision placements;
• permanent exclusions; or
• statutory admission appeals. 

These matters are governed through separate statutory or local procedures.

Principles

Managed Moves operate in accordance with the following principles:

• they are child-centred and undertaken in the child's best interests;
• they are intended to support inclusion and educational stability;
• they are permanent transfers of school and are not trial placements;
• they are based upon the voluntary agreement of the schools involved and the parents or carers;
• they should be supported by appropriate transition planning; and
• they should promote sustainable educational outcomes. 

Relationship with the Fair Access Protocol

A Managed Move is not a placement made under the Fair Access Protocol.

Managed Moves form part of the Council's normal in-year admissions arrangements and operate separately from the Fair Access Protocol.

Nothing within this Protocol requires a Managed Move to be considered before a referral is made under the Fair Access Protocol, nor does an unsuccessful Managed Move automatically result in referral under the Fair Access Protocol.

Where a child subsequently meets the eligibility criteria described in Section 5, consideration may be given to referral through the Fair Access Protocol.

Governance Arrangements

Managed Moves are normally coordinated through the Council's School Admissions Service as part of the in-year admissions process.

Where additional support, multi-agency planning or enhanced intervention is required, the Inclusion Panel may provide advice and coordinate appropriate support.

The Fair Access Panel does not oversee Managed Moves and is not responsible for approving or determining Managed Move arrangements.

Relationship with the Inclusion Panel

Where it becomes evident that a child's needs are unlikely to be met through mainstream provision supported by inclusive practice, Ordinarily Available Provision and reasonable adjustments alone, consideration may be given to referral to the Inclusion Panel.

The Inclusion Panel may consider:

• additional inclusion support;
• specialist advice;
• enhanced multi-agency intervention; or
• Alternative Provision, where appropriate. 

This does not alter the voluntary nature of Managed Moves or the separate governance arrangements that apply.

Where a Managed Move Is Unsuccessful

If a Managed Move does not achieve a sustainable educational placement, the next steps will depend upon the individual circumstances of the child.

This may include:

• continued support through the normal in-year admissions process;
• consideration by the Inclusion Panel where additional support is required;
• referral under the Fair Access Protocol where the child meets the eligibility criteria; or
• another appropriate statutory or local process. 

Each case will be considered individually.

Figure 9.1 — Relationship Between Managed Moves and the Fair Access Protocol

Child experiencing difficulty
↓
School-based support and intervention
↓
Managed Move considered
↓
Agreed by schools and parents/carers
↓
Permanent transfer to another mainstream school
↓
Placement successful?

YES → Continue in new school

NO → Consider:

• in-year admissions;
• Inclusion Panel; or 

Fair Access Protocol if eligibility criteria are met.