Referral Policy and Process

Pupils supported at Foundry College

Core Purpose: Education of pupils whose medical needs or vulnerability interrupt their access to full-time education in school

Support is provided for all pupils who are unable to attend school because of medical needs, both those who are physically ill or injured and those with mental health problems including anxieties, depression, school phobia, separation anxiety and school refusal. In addition support is also provided to pregnant school girls, teenage parents and pupils where family / home issues lead to add or emotional difficulties which in turn create a barrier to a pupil accessing full-time education in school.

These places are commissioned by Wokingham Borough Council and schools will be required to refer directly to Foundry College for support. Further information of the provision of education for medically unwell pupils may be found at here.

Education of pupils who have been permanently excluded from school

Foundry College will actively work within the Fair Access Protocol to provide and support transition back to mainstream school or occasionally onto a special school.

Pupils will be referred directly from Wokingham Borough Council to the College via the notification of permanent exclusion paperwork. The College will make arrangements for the continuity of education by agreeing a start date within 6 days of receipt of the exclusion paperwork from the appropriate officer of the Local Authority.

Additional pupils supported at Foundry College

Foundry College aims to support additional pupils who need additional support over and above what is available in mainstream schools in order to fulfill their potential. We aim to be as flexible as possible within the physical capacity of the College. Referrals may be made for pupils where there is demonstrable evidence of one or more of the following:

• Pupils who are showing a level of disengagement from, or inability to cope effectively within mainstream provision which is placing them at risk serious of permanent exclusion
• Pupils who have insufficient or inconsistent attendance (Where there is poor attendance less than 60% and it is a complex case requiring multi-professional support and where straight forward enforcement action may be deemed inappropriate)
• Pupils where a Managed Move* to another mainstream school has not been successful
• Pupils who are experiencing significant bullying (including cyber-bullying)
• Pupils who are exposed to abuse, or considered to be at risk of abuse
• Pupils with additional needs that means they are struggling to cope with the curriculum and organisation of their mainstream school

* ‘Managed Move’ means where a pupil has transferred from one mainstream school to another through a coordinated process involving consideration of their circumstances by a Fair Access Protocol Panel or something similar.

Referral criteria and process for Foundry College (for those not permanently excluded) 

Successful referrals to Foundry College are most likely where the following criteria are met for a particular pupil:

• That full-time mainstream provision is not deemed appropriate
• That a personalised education and behaviour program will stabilise school circumstances and aid progress and achievement
• That there is a clear need for the structure, regime, routine and consistency of Foundry College
• That full background details are made available from the placing school
• That the interest of the young person is protected
• That support available to the young person from other agencies prior to placement continues
• That the referral is not a direct substitute for provision already identified in a statement of special education needs. If specific support is mentioned in a statement of SEN, then the school / LA referring the pupil to Foundry College needs to continue to fulfill specific tasks or by negotiation and agreement, devolve the task(s) to Foundry College. This may also involve discussion re funding.

Referrals will be managed within 10 working days of receipt and will be followed up with a personal meeting. The meeting will aim to be solution focused and will work with schools to ensure that the referral is appropriate. Together we will establish the exact nature of concern and the needs of the young person.

For pupils unable to attend school for mental health reasons linked to depression, anxiety or phobia, referrals should also include advice from the Education Welfare Service and CAMHS. Other medical advice may also be considered although Foundry College reserves the right to confirm this through CAMHS. All advice should focus on the extent of the learner’s condition and their overall capabilities.

All referrals will be considered carefully by Foundry College on their individual merit. The College reserves the right to seek additional information from appropriate agencies in the consideration of any referral.

The College will consider the following factors when determining whether to admit the pupil:

• Whether there is sufficient evidence of the pupil being eligible for Foundry in accordance with the “Referral Criteria and process for Foundry College” section above or if they are permanently excluded.
• The extent to which Foundry College has the expertise to support the pupil
• Whether accepting the referral would have a detrimental impact upon
• The education provided to other pupils, including consideration of group sizes
  The well-being and health and safety of pupils and staff already at Foundry College
• The decision about whether to admit a pupil to Foundry College will be made by the Headteacher or their authorised representative. The decision, and the reasons for it, will be provided in writing to the commissioner.

For full details see FC 021 Referral Policy

To view our Referral Flow Chart click here.

To make a referral CLICK HERE