What happens after a suspension or exclusion?

The short answer

Read the written notification first. Confirm whether the decision is a suspension or permanent exclusion, the reason and dates, education arrangements, supervision rules, and the deadline for representations or review. Ask for the incident evidence and relevant policy. Keep a chronology and record your child's account in a form they can use. Find out who provides education during removal and how SEND provision continues. For a return after suspension, agree what will be different, who will meet the child, how missed work and relationships will be handled, and when support will be reviewed. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland use different procedures, so use the current guidance for the nation named in the letter.

• Identify the decision and deadline from the written notification.
• Ask immediately about suitable education and continuing SEND provision.
• Record the child's account without coaching it into an adult narrative.
• Use the correct review or appeal route for the decision and nation.
• Make a return plan that changes the conditions connected with the incident.