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

Section 3 - Guiding Principles (to become an infographic)

• The foundation for schools, learning establishments and education authorities is a whole school ethos of prevention, early intervention and support against a background which promotes positive relationships, learning and behaviour;
• Everyone in a learning community should feel they are in a safe and nurturing environment;
• All children and young people have a right to education; and education authorities have a duty to provide this education;
• All children and young people need to be included, engaged and involved in their learning;
• All children and young people have the right to get the support they need to benefit fully from their education and fulfil their potential;
• Exclusion should be the last resort;
• Where exclusion is used, it should be as a proportionate response where there is no appropriate alternative and the wellbeing of the child or young person should be the key consideration; and
• Exclusion must be for as short a period as possible with the aim of improving outcomes for the child or young person. The time during and after the exclusion period should be used constructively to resolve the situation and ensure positive and appropriate support is in place for all.