Managed Moves & Direction off-site for Education

As managed moves are voluntary, there is no statutory guidance on its process.

A managed move will usually involve a trial placement for 10 weeks.

Managed moves are initiated and overseen by the original school with often, a key person planning and overseeing this.

Best practice would suggest that:

• parents/carers are informed of the situation and involved in discussing any proposal for a managed move (including any alternative options)
• other schools are contacted to explore if they are suitable, and parents can input into this process (e.g. bearing in mind travel distances and how your child will be able to get to the new school)
• a meeting be held between the original school, parents and the new school to discuss the plan around the managed move e.g. discussing the reason for the managed move, clarifying a start date, plan of induction, and access to any SEN support required, with this key information being included in a managed move agreement.

During the 10-week trial, information will be gathered on attendance, any breaches of the school’s behaviour policy and impact of any SEN support in place for example, with a view to this informing the school’s final decision as to whether the pupil will move onto their roll permanently.

Can a manage move be terminated?

Yes, as this is a voluntary agreement, the manage move can be ended by the new school. Regular review meetings/conversations throughout the managed move may help avoid problems escalating.

If a manage move is to be terminated, it is useful to request a meeting to discuss the strategy/plan for your child’s return to their original school.