Fair access protocol
We have a fair access protocol to make sure we find and offer a school place to any child without one. This is particularly important for the most vulnerable children. We want to minimise the amount of time any child is out of school.
Find out more in our Fair Access Protocols:
Fair access panel
Our fair access panel assess and offer school places to children referred under the fair access protocol. These take priority over transfer requests and those waiting for an appeal.
Your child’s school or one of our officers can refer your child to the fair access panel if:
- your child is not in education or is having difficulty at school
- you and the child’s school have tried all other options
When the panel meets
During the school year the:
- primary school fair access panel meets monthly
- secondary school fair access panel meets every 3 weeks
You cannot attend the panel meeting about your child. But the panel will consider your views and wishes as part of the decision-making process.
Panel members
The panel is made up of members who provide expert opinion and advice to inform decisions.
This includes:
- headteachers and senior school leaders
- senior leaders from alternative education providers
- senior council staff from a range of school support services. Services include admissions, behaviour support, safeguarding and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
The secondary school panel also has a representative from the Youth Offending Service.
Sharing your child’s information
We cannot share your child’s information with the panel unless you have given your consent.
How the panel make decisions
The panel considers all available information to offer appropriate education provision for your child.
This includes:
- your child’s needs and family circumstances
- information from your child’s previous or current school
- current school vacancies and the number of children attending each school
- school location and the journey from your home
- recommendations from professionals and agencies working with your child
- religious affiliation
- the views of you and your child
- any additional support your child needs
After the panel decision
Offer of a school place
If the panel offer your child a place, the school will contact you to make the necessary admission arrangements.
If the panel decides that your child needs extra support to settle into their new school, they’ll ask you to attend:
- an initial meeting to discuss the support your child needs, and to set targets
- an interim review meeting after 3 weeks
- a final review meeting after 5 weeks
Offer of an alternative education provider
If the panel offer your child a place with an alternative education provider, we’ll contact you to discuss the offer and what to do to get your child started.
Support to stay where they are
The panel may decide that moving your child to another school is not in their best interests.
If this is the case, your child’s school or education provider will work with you to support your child. They’ll discuss with you what additional support your child needs and make relevant referrals.
Contact us
For further information about fair access, email us at: