Staged reintegration/integration guidance and protocol - Print version

Part-time timetable

This protocol sets out the statutory position in relation to staged reintegration/integration plans, identifying the exceptional circumstances when it might be appropriate to agree a short-term reduced timetable. It sets out the process that must be followed to secure safeguarding responsibilities; entitlement; due process; monitoring and recording and makes explicit what schools must do if a part-time timetable is agreed. All schools are expected to have regard to this guidance in order to ensure statutory compliance and the safeguarding of children across the city. For further information, please read Working together to Improve Attendance 2026 [http://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a4f9ec6a6586e258d371bd0/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_2026.pdf] (paragraph 65 to 70 page 27/28) and (paragraph 339 to 344 page 88).

Keeping children safe in education 2026 (comes into force from 1 September 2026) [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a4cf903b7203c4c023fd2f3/Keeping_children_safe_in_education_2026_.pdf] 

What the law says

Can a school place a pupil on a reduced timetable?

“As a rule, no. All pupils of compulsory school age are entitled to a full-time education. In very exceptional circumstances there may be a need for a temporary reduced timetable to meet a pupil’s individual needs. For example where a medical condition prevents a pupil from attending full-time education and a part-time timetable is considered as part of a re-integration package. A reduced timetable must not be treated as a long-term solution. Any pastoral support programme or other agreement must have a time limit by which point the pupil is expected to attend full-time or be provided with alternative provision.”

DfE

All children of compulsory school age are legally entitled to receive a suitable full-time education and local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that all children in their area receive such an education.

Working together to improve school attendance: July 2026 [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a4f9ec6a6586e258d371bd0/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_2026.pdf] 

There is no statutory number of teaching hours for each year group (Reception to Year 11). However, the Department for Education expects all state-funded mainstream schools in England to provide a school week of at least 32.5 hours by September 2024, inclusive of breaks and lunchtime.

For Local Authority purposes, the expectation remains that children of compulsory school age receive a full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude and any special educational needs.

The assumption is that pupils should receive full-time education consistent with their Key Stage

A timetable is considered reduced when it consists of something less than that which is provided to the majority of the pupil's peers in that setting. As a rule, schools are only permitted to provide less than full-time education, including placing a pupil on a reduced timetable, in very exceptional circumstances

Safeguarding

Sections 157 and 175 of the Education Act 2007 place a duty on Local Authorities and schools to exercise their functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Schools must have regard and consideration for the safeguarding issues and the impact this might have on a child when considering a reduced timetable.

Your own Coventry protocol accurately reflects the long-standing Ofsted position that:

Schools have a safeguarding responsibility for all pupils on their roll and therefore must be aware that even with parental agreement to any arrangement they make, they are responsible for the safeguarding and welfare of pupils off-site during school hours.

Ofsted expects schools to know where pupils are, whether they are safe, and whether they are receiving their entitlement to education. Inspectors consider whether schools have an effective safeguarding culture and whether pupils are protected from becoming invisible within education systems.

All schools should notify the Local Authority of any part-time education via the local protocol by using the established notification form. Before making a decision to place a child who has a social worker or an EHCP on a Part-time time table, schools should discuss this with Social Worker/virtual schools and/or EHCP Plan Coordinator to ensure this is appropriate and safe.

This includes schools maintained by the Local Authorities, Academies, Free Schools and Independent Schools. The local authority has a statutory responsibility to identify and track any pupil missing education. Any pupil on a reduced timetable is deemed to be at risk of missing education and therefore needs to be identified and tracked.

It is important to highlight that there is no statutory basis upon which to establish a reduced timetable. However, in exceptional circumstances, schools may need to implement one, in order to support a pupil who cannot attend school full-time for a short, agreed period.

Operating protocol

Staged reintegration/integration plans

A staged reintegration/integration plan must not be treated as a long-term plan. The arrangement should always specify an end-date by when it is expected that the child will return to full-time education (or when an alternative will be provided) and be reviewed regularly in the light of any changes to the child’s circumstances.

A temporary reduced timetable should provide a means of achieving re-integration to full-time education. It should never be used as a form of exclusion from school for part of the school day or as permanent provision.

When might a staged reintegration plan be considered?

• In exceptional circumstances and as part of an in-school support package - School, parent/carer and other professionals agree that a time-limited* reduced timetable is appropriate to facilitate a pupil’s successful return to full-time education *(6-week block maximum, a review period enables extension if required and if in the child’s best interest).

Circumstances where a part-time timetable may be appropriate

Examples may include:

Medical needs

• Recovery from physical illness.
• Mental health difficulties.
• Gradual return following hospitalisation.

Reintegration

• Following prolonged absence.
• Transition from alternative provision.
• Reintegration following significant anxiety-based absence.

SEND

• Where professional advice indicates a phased approach is temporarily required.
• As part of a graduated support plan.

Key points

• Any proposal to use a staged reintegration/integration plan must be discussed with the parent/carer before the arrangements start.
• A parent/carer must consent (and not be coerced) to a staged reintegration/integration plan by signing an agreement form. The agreement form must make explicit that they are consenting to a staged reintegration/integration plan; that they are taking responsibility for the pupil when they're not in school and that they are guaranteeing that the pupil will be supervised off site.
• The staged reintegration/integration plan should be for a limited period. The suggested maximum length of a part-time timetable is 6 weeks. If a part‑time timetable is to continue beyond the initial six‑week period, the school must be able to clearly demonstrate that continuing the reduced timetable is in the child’s best interests. This determination must be based on evidence including specialist and/or multi-agency involvement where appropriate.
• The objectives of any staged integration plan should be clearly recorded and understood.
• Any staged reintegration/integration plan arrangements must be regularly reviewed.

Staged reintegration/integration plans should only be used in very limited circumstances.

For example:

• SEMH
• Anxiety
• Medical need other than SEMH
• Support transition
• Re-integration following a period of absence

If a staged reintegration/integration plan is implemented, schools should:

• Ensure that a part-time timetable is not deemed to be an illegal exclusion.

Vulnerable groups - additional considerations

Pupils with an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP)

• It is illegal for schools to discriminate against pupils on the basis of their special educational needs and/or disability.
• A staged reintegration/integration plan should only be used for a pupil with an Education, Health & Care Plan in very limited circumstances.
• A pupil should not be put on a part-time timetable because of their special educational need as this may constitute discrimination. In some cases, a special educational need may also be a disability and therefore constitute a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
• Schools must ensure that the part-time timetable supports the provision specified in section F of the EHCP in order to meet the needs of the child’s needs and secure their statutory entitlement.

Children in Care

• A staged reintegration/integration plan, for a Child in Care should only be implemented in very limited circumstances and not before all other interventions have been tried. Before proceeding, the following steps are required: A formal review of the child’s Personal Education Plan (PEP) Written parent/carer agreement and the consent of both the child’s social worker and the Virtual School (or their representative).

Children subject to a child protection plan

Children on a child protection plan are very vulnerable and may be placed at greater risk if placed on a reduced timetable. Therefore a staged reintegration/integration plan, should only be implemented in the most exceptional circumstances when all other interventions have been tried. The following steps are required:

• Formally consult the child’s social worker and secure agreement
• Any staged reintegration/integration plan should only be implemented following a Core Group meeting.

School readiness

In Coventry, children ordinarily start school in the September following their 4th birthday. However, it is acknowledged that parents can choose to defer their child’s start to the beginning of the term following the 5th birthday. It is common practice for schools to stagger admission during the early part of the Autumn term to support all children in adjusting to school life, this process is not regarded as a reduced timetable. The admissions process may begin with shorter days e.g. mornings for a commonly agreed period of time, quickly building to full-time attendance.

A school may determine that for a small minority of children who are not ‘school ready’, an extended integration programme is appropriate to support their emotional and developmental needs. In this circumstance, the child would be regarded as being in receipt of a reduced timetable and an appropriate plan must be agreed in partnership with parents and a signed consent recorded. The programme must focus on ensuring that full-time attendance is achieved no later than the term following the child’s 5th birthday.

Children new to the city

Children arriving new to the city are entitled to be admitted to school without delay. If the admitting school identify that the child has SEN but the child is not subject to an EHC Plan, then the school must progress admission. The law specifically states that a child cannot be denied admission to a school on the grounds that they have SEN it should be noted that any failure to progress admission may be judged discriminatory under the Equality Act. If the school believe that the child’s needs are severe and complex, they can make representations for a ‘fast track’ statutory SEN, health and care assessment and/or seek interim support.

Illegal suspensions/exclusions

Staged reintegration/integration plans that DO NOT have clearly defined objectives, a specified end date, a review process, and/or the consent of parents/carers may constitute an illegal exclusion.

Schools are required to:

• Inform the local authority of any instance of a child being placed on a part-time timetable, so that the local authority is aware of the arrangements.
• Provide information to governors about any children placed on part-time timetables, so that governors can fulfil their responsibilities to monitor the school’s provision.

Summary of process

1. Complete a detailed action plan that sets out a clear path to planned reintegration from part-time provision to full-time attendance, with a date for review. Where appropriate, the child should be actively involved in this planning. The plan should be reviewed if there is a change to his/her circumstances or needs.
2. If the child has a Statement of SEN, or an Education, Health and Care Plan, consult with the local authority’s SEND team to ensure that the EHC Plan is implemented fully under a reduced timetable. The school should also consider whether it is appropriate to arrange an interim review if for example the child’s needs have changed and it is considered that this could impact on the ability for the provision to meet their needs.
3. Confirm, in writing, which adults will be responsible for the duty of care for the child during school sessions when he/she is not attending; (schools retain full duty of care for all children who are on the school roll if they are receiving education off-site).
4. Obtain written consent to the arrangements from the child’s parents/carers. Should parents/carers not agree to the staged reintegration/integration plan, it cannot be implemented, as without parental agreement a reduced timetable would be considered to be an unlawful exclusion.
5. Keep a central record of the arrangement and reviews and notify the local authority electronically, using the form provided for this purpose - Staged school reintegration or integration plan [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/en/service/Staged_school_reintegration_or_integration_plan]
6. Record the child’s absence from school for sessions when they are not in attendance as authorised absence (register code C2).
7. Continue to notify the LA of any extended part-time timetable arrangements.

The information provided will be used:

By the Local Authority to:

• discharge its safeguarding responsibilities to collect and analyse data relating to children not in full-time education in line with Ofsted arrangements  
• analyse data relating to the use of staged reintegration plans to inform service delivery

To allow schools to:

• inform the Local Authority when a pupil is placed on a staged reintegration/integration plan.
• demonstrate transparency and accountability in the use of staged reintegration/integration plans.
• create reports for use in monitoring and analysing data relating to pupils on staged reintegration/integration plans.

Raising concerns

Professionals who become aware of an illegal exclusion or a pupil on a reduced timetable and have concerns around the reasons for its use, the length the timetable is in place for and/or whether it has the consent of the child’s parents/carers should notify the Children Absent from Education Team at Coventry City Council

Marking the attendance register

The DfE guidance provides specific guidance in respect of reduced timetables; it states:

X code for (non-compulsory school age)

Where a pupil is attending alternative provision as part of their part-time timetable, it may be appropriate to use the B code for that aspect of their timetable. However, it remains the school’s responsibility to monitor attendance whilst they attend alternative provision.

Staged school reintegration or integration plan [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/en/service/Staged_school_reintegration_or_integration_plan].