The board must monitor the outcomes of students who experience “managed mobility” outside of school and involve “independent” representatives who represent the best interests of children in administration.
A survey by the Education Policy Institute found that tens of thousands of students “inexplicably” drop out of school every year, with poorer students more likely to be included.
At least some of these “unexplained” exits are managed movements. This is permitted upon agreement between the principal, parent, and student, but is considered off-rolling if it is not in the student's best interest.
Consistent data on managed movements is not collected. EPI therefore sought to identify “unexplained” movements, i.e. movements that were “invisible” to be driven by family decisions or circumstances.
Around 34,000 (6%) of students completing Year 11 in 2019 had experienced around 37,000 moves between schools at some point during their five years of secondary school.
This movement “did not occur for familial reasons that we could detect in the data.”
The report found that of the 2,959,950 students enrolled in secondary schools, around 30,600 (1%) experienced unexplained movements in 2018-19.
‘Big fluctuations’ between regions
While the data “does not tell us whether all of these moves meet the definition of a managed move”, this second figure “provides an upper bound estimate for the number of managed moves occurring in secondary schools across the country in 2018-19”. .
However, data was collected from only 66 councils. This means that the low estimate for management transfers in secondary schools was just over 5,300.
Of the “unexplained transfers” identified, at least one in six were managed moves, according to the few local authorities that hold the data.
Mobility rates also ranged from 0.4 to 2.5% of all students.
James Bowen, deputy general secretary of the NAHT leaders' union, said: “A managed move done in the right way can be positive for all political parties.”
“However, it is important to have clear policies and protocols for managed movement.”
Vulnerable children are more affected
Disadvantaged students ‘disproportionally’ experienced unexplained movements.
One in 17 students experienced such movements. However, almost one in five students with social, emotional or mental health needs did so. One in 10 looked after or persistently disadvantaged students did so.
There was also inconsistency in the way Congress handled the movement. One in five did not have an ambulatory management protocol in place.
Some have treated it as a “last resort” rather than using it on the most vulnerable students. Others said they were “employed as part of a support strategy for children who need additional help”.
‘Lack of regulation’
Last year, guidance was updated to require public schools to demonstrate early intervention before taking such action. Councils should also be involved in the movement of pupils through SEND support plans.
However, the new guidance and “the continued lack of regulation do not address the lack of transparency and oversight of the movement management process.”
Whitney Crenna-Jennings, EPI's deputy director of mental health, wellbeing and inclusion, said the study “reveals a worrying trend”.
“Our analysis also exposes inconsistencies in the approaches taken to movement management by different local authorities and clearly demonstrates the need for an evidence-based approach, with greater oversight and monitoring of outcomes to identify best practice.”
Recommendation…
- A central data reporting system that captures all moves and reasons for moves, including managed moves and homeschool moves.
- The committee must monitor the outcomes of students who experience managed movements.
- Improved transparency of local processes for movement management
- Clearer advice on ‘best practices’ for managed moves and when to use them.
- Government guidance and policies on responding to behavioral problems should be based on evidence on how to best support “young people with mental health, emotional and behavioral needs”.
- Local procedures for managing the move should involve an independent representative representing the best interests of the child.