Suspensions and permanent exclusions – general principles

Duty to inform the local authority of suspensions and exclusions

In September 2022, the DfE updated statutory guidance relating to suspension and permanent exclusion, requires: 

• when headteachers suspend or permanently exclude a pupil, they must also notify the local authority, without delay, regardless of the length of a suspension
• if a pupil has a social worker, or if a pupil is looked after, the headteacher must now, also without delay after their decision, notify the social worker and/or virtual school headteacher, as applicable

Please note that these requirements must be met irrespective of which agency has lead responsibility or whether, in the view of the school and others, intervention and support from the local authority is required.

Page last updated: 07 November 2024