School exclusions and SEN: Get expert advice at our Q&A for families in England Schools must follow certain procedures before making a decision to suspend or exclude a disabled child, such as increasing their SEN support or considering alternative disciplinary measures. Similarly, local authorities have a legal duty to arrange suitable alternative education for a child who has been excluded. But despite these requirements, exclusion continues to be a top concern for families who phone our helpline. Many parent carers call us feeling worried because their child was suspended or permanently excluded and want to find out about their rights or how to challenge the school’s decision. That’s why we are running a special Q&A about school exclusions in England on Thursday 19 January, between 10-11.30am, in our closed (private) Facebook Group. This will be a chance for parent carers in England to share their concerns and ask our education advisers any questions they may have about school suspensions and exclusions. You might need more information or advice on: What factors must be considered before a decision is made to exclude a child Whether your child’s behaviour can be considered grounds for exclusion What constitutes an unlawful exclusion What happens if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan The use of early intervention to avoid exclusions Part-time timetables Managed moves to another school Your rights to challenge suspensions or exclusions Getting education support whilst excluded How to take part You must be a member of our Facebook Group for parent carers to take part in this Q&A session. Joining our group is easy: simply answer the 3 membership questions when prompted and one of our moderators will let you in. At 10am on 19 January, Contact will publish a special Q&A post in the group where you can ask any questions in the comments. One of our education experts will reply to your comment with advice based on your situation. The Q&A will be carried out entirely in writing – it will not be a video livestream. Can’t make it on 19 January? Don’t worry: after the session is finished, you will still be able to read through all the questions and answers shared during our Q&A at a time that suits you. You can also take a look at our school exclusions webpage for more information on your child’s rights, the policies schools must follow, and how to challenge decisions. If your child is facing exclusion and you need urgent support, you can also get in touch with our helpline team for expert advice.