Skip to content

Education Inclusion Service

The Education Inclusion Service provides a statutory, but impartial service for parents and carers, school governors, headteachers, school staff and other agencies about inclusion, reintegration and exclusion.

Information specifically for schools can be found here.

Early support from the team can help a child to stay in school, or return to school after an exclusion and offer opportunities to help them achieve their full potential.

We aim to promote, support and encourage continuous learning and achievement for every child referred to us.

Parents and carers

You should be fully aware of the reason(s) that your child has been excluded from school.

Only the headteacher can exclude your child (which must be for a serious breach of the school’s behaviour policy) and the information about the exclusion should be given to you on the day of exclusion clearly stating the:

  • reason for the exclusion
  • duration of the exclusion
  • reintegration date or time
  • school work that is being set

Please be aware that if the exclusion is over 5 days then the school must make arrangements for full-time education to be provided. Copies of the letters that schools use can be found on this website.

If your child is permanently excluded then after six days Devon County Council will provide education, but prior to that, the school will set work.

You will have a right to challenge the headteacher’s decision in front of three impartial governors. Support can be requested at the meeting from the School Exclusion Project who may be able to send a trainee barrister or solicitor to support you.

You can also seek support from Devon Information Advice and Support which provides information, advice and support on special educational needs and disability (SEND).

It’s a statutory service that must be provided by law. Every local authority in England has this type of service and what they provide is shaped by chapter 2 of the SEND Code of Practice and the National Quality Standards for IASS services.

Your inclusion officer will work closely with you to identify a new school as swiftly as possible and to ensure that education is in place.

Support for pupils with health needs

We work with schools to support children who cannot attend school on a full-time basis because of their health needs. You can read more about the Education Wellbeing Team and what they do here.

You might also want to read Devon’s policy on education for children with additional health needs.

More information

Information and advice for all ages from babies to young adults – HappyMaps

Worried about your child’s behaviour or mental health and not sure what’s normal? Wondering whether to see your GP?

Perhaps you’ve been referred to specialist services but there is a long wait or perhaps you’ve been told the problem isn’t quite serious enough to be referred. HappyMaps is an award-winning charity developed by healthcare professionals with help from parents and young people.

Social workers

Inclusion officers will work closely to support social workers ensuring that children and young people are in suitable education.

Close working links also exist with area learning advocates from the Virtual School to ensure that children in care are in school and making expected progress in their learning.

No child in the care of Devon County Council should be permanently excluded and there is a protocol in place in Devon that should be implemented.

Inclusion officers (see details below) also support social workers undertaking single assessments, where they are working with children and young people as a ‘child in need’ or on a child protection plan.

The Education Inclusion Team

Area Schools Days Contact name Phone number Email
Exeter
  • Barley Lane
  • Ellen Tinkham School
  • Isca
  • Matford Brook
  • Southbrook School
  • St James’ School
  • St Lukes’
  • St Peters’ VA School
  • West Exe

(and feeder primary schools for the above)

Monday to Wednesday Miranda Nicholson 01392 380912 miranda.nicholson@devon.gov.uk
Mid Devon
  • ACE Tiverton
  • Cranbrook Education Campus
  • Cullompton CC
  • QE Academy Trust
  • Thomas Hall School
  • Tiverton High School
  • Uffculme School
  • WAVE Stansfield Academy

(and feeder primary schools for the above)

Monday to Friday Victoria Leyland 01392 380518 victoria.leyland@devon.gov.uk
North Devon
  • Atlantic Academy
  • Bideford College
  • Braunton Academy
  • Great Torrington School
  • Lampard Community School
  • Marland School
  • Pathfield School
  • Pilton CC
  • South Molton CC
  • The Ilfracombe Academy
  • The Park Community School
  • WAVE Shoreline Academy

(and feeder primary schools for the above)

Monday to Friday Nikki Andrews 01392 287204 nikki.andrews@devon.gov.uk
East Devon
  • Axe Valley CC
  • Clyst Vale CC
  • Colyton Grammar School
  • Exmouth CC
  • Honiton CC
  • Sidmouth College
  • The King’s School

(and feeder primary schools for the above)

Monday to Thursday Natalie Ellor 01392 383287 natalie.ellor@devon.gov.uk
South Devon
  • Bidwell Brook
  • Cambian Devon School
  • Coombeshead College
  • Dartmouth Academy
  • Glendinning Academy
  • Ivybridge CC
  • King Edward VI CC
  • Kingsbridge Academy
  • School for Inspiring Talents
  • South Dartmoor CC
  • South Devon UTC
  • Teign School
  • WAVE River Dart Academy

(and feeder primary schools for the above and ALL Newton Abbot primary schools)

Monday to Friday Serena Worth 01392 381233 serena.worth@devon.gov.uk
Dartmoor MAT, Chulmleigh and Ivy Trust Schools
  • Chumleigh CC
  • Dawlish CC
  • Holsworthy CC
  • Newton Abbot College
  • Okehampton College
  • Orchard Manor
  • Tavistock CC
  • Teignmouth Community School
  • The Promise School

(and feeder primary schools for the above excluding Newton Abbot College)

Monday to Friday Alastair Smith 01392 381077 alastair.smith@devon.gov.uk
Education Support Officer Monday to Friday Elena Milego 01392 382787 elena.milego@devon.gov.uk
Strategic Lead for Inclusion and other services to vulnerable children Monday to Friday Matt Gould 01392 383969 matthew.gould@devon.gov.uk

Apply for an Independent Review Panel Hearing

If your child has been permanently excluded and this decision has been upheld by the governing board you can apply for an Independent Review Panel (IRP) hearing to review this decision by the governing board.

The IRP can either:

  • uphold the governors’ decision
  • recommend that the governors reconsider their decision, or
  • “quash” the decision (reject it because it is invalid) and direct governors to reconsider

The panel cannot automatically reinstate your child.

If you wish to apply for an IRP hearing please fill in this form:

Application to Review the Governors’ Decision to Permanently Exclude a Pupil

This must be received within 15 school days of you being notified of the governing board’s decision. If it is not received within this deadline the IRP cannot legally convene to hear your case.

For further information on the Independent Review Panel process please contact appeals@devon.gov.uk.


Top