News

Police commissioners call for ‘off-rolling’ to be outlawed and a renewed focus on exclusions

A number of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) have called on the prime minister to outlaw the “off-rolling” of students and to give local authorities responsibility over all school exclusions.

In a letter to Theresa May, the PCCs raise their concerns that those excluded from mainstream education are at “significantly greater risk of becoming involved in or affected by serious youth violence”.

Figures show that the number of exclusions is increasing, with the number of young people permanently excluded having risen by 56 per cent across England between 2013/2014 and 2016/2017.
Over the same period, the number of permanent exclusions has increased in the West Midlands by 62 per cent and 40 per cent in London.

The letter points to work in Scotland which has led to reductions in violence over the last 10 years. Scottish Violence Reduction Unit deputy director Will Linden has credited a reduction in school exclusions as a key factor in this.

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