School exclusions have jumped by 16% in just one year, with 10,900 children permanently excluded in 2023/24 compared to 9,400 the previous year. Behind each statistic is a family in crisis, wondering if their child’s future has been destroyed before it’s even begun.
At Inclusion Education, we know the truth is different.
Some of the most successful people we’ve worked with started their journey after being excluded or told that they don’t fit into mainstream school. What matters is what happens next. If you’re facing this exclusion crisis right now, this guide will show you there’s a way forward.
When a child faces exclusion, it’s rarely about one incident. More often, it’s the culmination of unmet needs that the traditional education system simply can’t handle. We see this pattern repeatedly. Children might arrive carrying trauma, family breakdown, mental health issues, or simply have different ways of learning, and schools can struggle to adapt.
Take Jack, now CEO of All Design Matters, who came to us after being excluded from two schools by Year 9. His story started with family breakdown at age six, leaving him struggling with anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation.
“I was disruptive in class because I didn’t like being told what to do,” Jack recalls. “I felt hopeless and angry. The schools kept telling me off, but no one tried to understand what was actually wrong.”
We’ve heard this story hundreds of times. Instead of adapting their approach when facing challenging behaviour, too many schools resort to isolation, suspension or exclusion as their only tools.
If you find yourself in this position. Here’s a step-by-step of what you can do:
The moment your child is excluded, the clock starts ticking.
By law, your local authority must provide full-time education from day six.
Don’t wait. SENDIASS can guide you through your rights and help you navigate what comes next.
Your First Call (Today)
Contact Hampshire SENDIASS immediately:
Phone: 0808 164 5504
Available: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm
What they do: Free, confidential advocacy and guidance for families with SEND children
Contact your child’s school and demand they request a referral to an alternative provision. Request provision that has a trauma-informed approach and track record of helping excluded students succeed.
If the school won’t help, contact Hampshire’s Inclusion Support Service directly. Use SENDIASS for advocacy support if you’re getting nowhere.
Document everything. Keep records of every phone call, email and meeting. You’ll need this evidence if you have to escalate.
For guidance on the process of referral to one of Inclusion Education provisions if your child has an EHCP, contact us directly:
Email: admissions@inclusioneducation.org.uk
Phone: 01256 760 800
Whilst we can’t accept direct applications, we can advise on getting the referral process started.
This approach works because it addresses the root causes of exam anxiety rather than just the symptoms. When students feel psychologically safe, when they’ve experienced success before, and when they know exactly what to expect, they can focus their energy on demonstrating their knowledge rather than managing their anxiety.
Our recent exam results reflect this philosophy in action, but the real success is in the confidence and resilience our students develop. They leave us not just with qualifications, but with the self-knowledge and advocacy skills to succeed in whatever path they choose.
Some children facing exclusion are also dealing with serious mental health issues.
If you’re worried about self-harm or suicide, our Project Iris provides specialist support for young people. This funded programme has supported over 130 young people since 2024, with 100% of participants reporting they feel more able to talk about difficult feelings after our six-week programme.
Exclusion doesn’t happen overnight. You’re likely navigating this uncharted territory following months, if not years, of challenges within the school system. This is incredibly challenging for families, and it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or lost at this time. However, there is support available for children and their families, and it can become easier.
Over the past decade, we’ve developed what we call The Inclusion Way – an approach that puts emotional wellbeing at the heart of learning. It rests on four principles of the evidenced based PACE programme:
Whilst you’re looking for the right school placement, you can start implementing these principles at home.
The biggest consideration is the language you use, as this can matter enormously during this vulnerable time.
Instead of:
“You need to get back into a proper school”
Try:
“This is a chance to find what really works for you”
Instead of:
“Stop worrying, everyone gets nervous”
Try:
“Feeling worried shows you care about your future. Let’s work together so those worries don’t overwhelm you”
If you’re passionate about supporting SEMH students and want to be part of an educational approach that prioritises both achievement and wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you. At Inclusion School & College, we’re always looking for educators who understand that academic success and emotional safety aren’t competing priorities – they go hand in hand.
We’re particularly interested in teachers who:
If this resonates with you, we’d love to discuss how you could contribute to our students’ success. Because when we get exam support right, we don’t just help students pass tests, we help them believe in their future.
