Included, engaged and involved part 2: preventing and managing school exclusions

Ministerial foreword

The defining mission of this Government is delivering excellence and equity in Scottish education. We can work together to raise the bar for all our children and young people; and close the attainment gap.

There can be no greater responsibility than working to improve the life chances of all our children and young people.

The most critically important part of our early years and school education system is the relationship between our teachers, practitioners, children and young people.

The rate of exclusion has more than halved since 2006/07 due to the continued focus by schools and education authorities to build on and improve their relationship with our children and young people most at risk of exclusion in their learning communities.

That relationship is at the heart of every story of success. In every school that succeeds, you find great teachers able to reach out and influence the lives of the children and young people in their classrooms.

'Included Engaged and Involved Part 2: a positive approach to preventing and managing school exclusions' has a fundamental role to play in helping us realise our vision for all children and young people. It will support the Scottish Government's focus on transforming the lives of our children and young people, closing the educational attainment gap and opening the doors of opportunity to all.

This refreshed guidance gives a stronger focus on approaches that can be used to prevent the need for exclusion, ensuring all children and young people are Included, Engaged and Involved in their education.

Our aim is to make Scotland the best place to grow up and our policies are designed to give all our children the best possible start in life.

We hope that this guidance will be a useful and helpful resource for teachers and practitioners working with children and young people. Its importance should be recognised in the context of our shared drive to raise attainment for all, close the attainment gap and, crucially, ensure that the focus on children and young people's wellbeing is given the importance it deserves. This Government remains committed to supporting its implementation through training, professional development and promoting good practice so we can continue to support all our children and young people to realise their full potential.

John Swinney MSP

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills