Date updated: Thursday 16th May 2024

This webinar provides an overview for schools of the legal implications of decisions relating to pupils whose attendance raise safeguarding/health and safety considerations for others. It also discusses when local authorities will have an obligation to provide alternative provision (AP) for pupils unable to attend school. This comes as many schools are receiving pushback from local authorities in relation to their legal obligations to provide suitable full-time education for pupils who, for reason of illness, permanent exclusion or otherwise, are unable to attend school.

Partner Michael Brotherton and Associate Solicitor Elizabeth Fortin will examine S.19 of the Education Act, which obliges local authorities to provide suitable full-time education to children who are unable to attend school as a result of permanent exclusion, illness or otherwise.  

Michael and Elizabeth will cover how to navigate this pushback, with such decisions having significant financial implications for schools, and will also look at avoiding suspending pupils informally (and therefore unlawfully).