Pupil Exclusions: Mental Health

(asked on 7th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of how many children suspended from schools (a) have mental health issues and (b) are neurodivergent.


Answered by
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds
Minister of State (Education)
This question was answered on 14th December 2023

The department does not hold the data on what proportion of children suspended from school have mental health issues and/or are neurodivergent, which means this cannot be estimated. The department does, however, hold and publish data on the characteristics of pupils suspended from schools in England, including suspensions for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) where categories of need will include those such as social, emotional and mental health needs and autistic spectrum disorder. The most recent data available is for the 2021/22 academic year and is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/permanent-and-fixed-period-exclusions-in-england/2021-22-summer-term.

Creating school cultures with high expectations of behaviour is a priority for the government.

The department has published updated guidance on Behaviour in Schools, Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools, and Suspension and Permanent Exclusion statutory guidance (Exclusion guidance), in response to the recommendation made by the Timpson Review of School Exclusion. These documents provide further clarity and support for head teachers on how to manage behaviour well for all pupils in the school community. The documents are available at the following links:

The updated Exclusion guidance is clear that head teachers should consider any underlying causes of misbehaviour before issuing an exclusion, including a pupil’s SEND or mental health related issues. The department’s guidance, 'Understanding your data: a guide for school governors and academy trustees’ also makes clear governing boards should carefully consider the level and characteristics of pupils who are leaving the school and deploy maximum challenge to the school on any permanent exclusions to ensure it is only used as a last resort. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-your-data-a-guide-for-school-governors-and-academy-trustees/understanding-your-data-a-guide-for-school-governors-and-academy-trustees.

The department supports head teachers in using suspension and permanent exclusion as a sanction where warranted as part of creating calm, safe, and supportive environments where pupils and staff can work in safety and are respected.

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