152 Pages
244 x 170mm
October 2009

This original study shows that local authorities, working collaboratively with their schools and clusters, can dramatically reduce exclusions and make permanent exclusions unnecessary. And through research in three low excluding local authorities and five high excluding local authorities, it shows how this is done. The challenges and barriers are recognised but the way forward is clear.

The book fills the ground between school and national government, pointing to the responsibilities and powers that a supportive, challenging and conciliatory local authority has in respect of the education of all children. Carl Parsons sets out an agenda for action which is about enlisting full support from local authority counsellors and officers, building a shared commitment with schools, broadening what schools are able to offer, developing managed moves as a conciliatory and non punitive response, generating more alternative provision
and developing multi agency working, with greater involvement of the voluntary sector.

This is a book for everyone involved in managing the education of behaviourally challenging children and young people. It is of particular relevance to those working at the level of strategy and operation in local authority Children’s Services departments and to managers in schools. And other services which receive school rejects will find the debates about appropriate provision of help in their work.