Student Disciplinary Action Policy
This policy outlines the College’s approach to student disciplinary actions, detailing both informal and formal stages.
Introduction & Context
Homefield College recognises its duty of care to all students and staff and this policy applies to all students who receive care and support from Homefield College staff.
This policy applies to all students, full and part-time, enrolled at the College or any of its collaborative partner institutions.
This policy considers the individual student’s interests regarding successful study and also considers the interests of the wider community. This policy is not punitive in nature and seeks to find a supportive solution where possible.
Any outcome imposed under this policy will be informed by a comprehensive risk assessment and advice from relevant clinicians.
Behaviours of concern are when a student’s behaviour impacts on themselves and / or those around them.
We have adopted the model of Positive Behaviour Support to help understand these behaviours of concern. We assess the social and physical environment, and work with the student to find solutions to help support them, better meet their needs, and offer more effective coping strategies.
Purpose & Scope
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that appropriate action is taken to support the needs of students who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, mental, or physical health difficulties in homefield college.
We use data-driven and evidence-based analysis to decide what actions should be taken to support our students to succeed and realise their potential. This forms a base from which we can provide targeted support through additional provision and bespoke interventions from the therapies team.
As a college we identify, and support students’ needs through the process of positive behaviour support and all staff are trained in Nappi (non-abusive psychological and physical intervention) level 1, within 6 months of joining.
Where needed staff are also trained at level 2 and 3. The curriculum, therapy, and safeguarding team review students regularly to ensure a cohesive approach to support.
Where a person is assessed to have capacity to understand their behavioural presentation and they continue to display behaviours when needs have been met, we will follow this disciplinary process as appropriate.
This policy is applicable to all Homefield College students and to all prospective students from the point at which they formally accept an offer of a place.
Precautionary Suspension
A Senior Curriculum Manager, the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or a member of SMT only, can make the decision to suspend the student pending referral to a disciplinary meeting.
A Suspension is not a judgement or disciplinary sanction and can only be considered so if it is for more than one expected day of attendance.
It is a mechanism to secure the protection of members of the Homefield College community and/or to be able to carry out an investigation whilst keeping all safe.
A suspended student will be asked to leave the campus, but only following the organisation of transport and ensuring that parents / guardians / carers are made aware (where applicable).
Where transport is not available or where the student is under 18, they will be asked to remain in the College until guardians have been contacted but will remain in the care of the Site Supervisor. In such circumstances every effort will be made to minimise the effect of suspension on the student’s capacity to engage in a learning experience and their access to student services.
The student will receive a letter within five (5) working days of the suspension outlining the causes for the suspension and a date for the initial disciplinary meeting.
Permanent Exclusion
In extreme cases, Homefield College reserves the right to exclude students, based on their behaviours. This decision should be made following a multi-disciplinary discussion and determined by the Principal.
Criminal Behaviour
If a criminal offence has taken place, as long as it is not an emergency (where 999 would be called), the victim must be offered the choice to report to the police. The College will await outcomes from any police investigation before identifying internal sanctions.
Disciplinary
The disciplinary route will be followed when there is a need identified to regulate the standards of conduct and behaviour of students when their needs have been met.
The aim is to correct unacceptable behaviour through learning and where applicable restorative justice to support students as they progress into adulthood with the expectations of society.
We will trigger the formal disciplinary procedure for students who are assessed to have capacity, their needs have been met and confirmation by the Therapies Manager and other Senior Curriculum Managers.
All events must be logged on Databridge outlining the issue and actions to date to resolve. Capacity will initially be assessed by a member of the therapies team.
The principles are as follows:
- Students agree to follow the ‘College Rules’ (link) through completion of the learner agreement, where capacity allows.
- All allegations of wrongdoing will be investigated, without prejudice.
- Disciplinary measures are evidence based.
- Suspension never implies guilt or a final judgement.
- Parents / carers of students under 18 must be made aware of proceedings at all stages.
Informal Procedures
We may use any or all of the below:
- Effective classroom management in place to support prevention of behaviours of concern escalating.
- All staff employed by the College carry responsibility for the informal disciplining of students.
- During this stage, the therapies team will be referred to for support and input.
Formal Procedures
We have three formal stages of disciplinary action for students who are assessed to have capacity and where informal measures have not been effective.
These stages do not need to be followed in order but rather applied according to the seriousness of the situation being dealt with. However, they can also be used as a ladder of progression where applicable.
The behaviour specialist must be liaised with prior to undertaking any disciplinary action to ensure that it is appropriate for the student.
Stage One: Official Initial Warning (Curriculum Co-ordinator)
The Curriculum Co-ordinator will arrange to meet the student at the earliest opportunity following a fact-based investigation. The Curriculum Co-ordinator may be accompanied by a Behaviour Specialist or another staff member, and the student may be accompanied by a friend or a fellow student if they wish. The behaviour specialist must be consulted prior to undertaking the meeting to ensure that it is appropriate for the student.
The outcome of the meeting may be an official verbal warning for the student alongside an action plan. The outcome should be formally recorded on Databridge as an event log labelled Disciplinary, and if applicable, parents / carer / guardians should be informed.
The student’s action plan must be created by the Curriculum Co-ordinator to support the improvement in behaviour; this may take the form of a report sheet to allow feedback from each session attended over a minimum period of time of 1 week and maximum of 3 weeks. Following successful improvement of behaviour and adherence to the action plan, the student is removed from the disciplinary process. If no improvement is seen, then they will move onto the next stage. A meeting between the student, Curriculum Co-ordinator and Behaviour Specialist must take place to inform this decision and be recorded on Databridge.
Documentation to be kept:
- Investigation notes, record of meetings, letters, and report on Databridge
Stage Two: Formal Interview (Senior Curriculum Manager)
Students will receive written notice to attend a 2nd stage disciplinary interview with a Senior Curriculum Manager / Senior Leadership Team member, following a fact-based investigation.
The behaviour specialist must be consulted prior to undertaking the meeting to ensure that it is appropriate for the student and may attend, if needed.
The student’s parent / guardian / carer (if the student is under 18) can be invited, and the student can be accompanied by a friend, fellow student, or a staff member to help support them during the meeting.
After hearing the student’s case and reviewing the evidence, following an investigation, a decision will be made to:
- Issue a formal written warning.
- Move to stage 3 in process; or,
- Decide that no disciplinary sanction will be appropriate or a lesser sanction.
If a formal written warning is issued, this will be sent to the student within 5 working days of the interview, with a copy to parents / guardian (if under 18) and relevant agencies.
The formal written warning will give reasons for the decision and outline the consequences of further misconduct, which may result in suspension or expulsion.
The written warning will have attached an action plan detailing what the student is expected to do and what the College will do to support the student to help avoid recurrence. Any risk assessment should be shared with all tutors, recorded on Databridge and a copy sent to parent / guardian for those under 18 years old. The Curriculum Leader / SLT member will be responsible for monitoring the action plan and recording its conclusion on Databridge.
In cases where further misconduct occurs after a formal written warning, the student will be asked to attend a 3rd stage formal interview with Senior Curriculum Manager / Senior Leadership Team member.
Documentation to be kept:
- Investigation notes, copies of letters sent to student /guardian and documents from previous sanctions – recorded on Databridge.
- Action plan and review
- Disciplinary record form
Stage Three: Formal Interview (Senior Curriculum Manager)
Note: if a Senior Curriculum Manager is unavailable another member of SMT can substitute
Gross Misconduct
- In the event of an alleged case of gross misconduct or concerns over the safety of individuals, a student may be suspended from College on the authority of a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), pending a Stage 3 formal interview.
Formal Interview
- The student will be given at least 5 days’ written notice and will be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or a fellow student. The meeting can be held earlier if all parties agree.
- The student’s Curriculum Leader / Senior Leadership Team member will normally be present and act as the note taker of the meeting.
- The student’s parents / carer / guardians will be invited to attend, if appropriate and relevant.
- A record of the interview will be made in writing and kept on Databridge.
- The student will be sent written notification of the decision of the College within 5 working days of the interview. This will include details of the right to appeal against any decision.
The decision may be:
- That no further disciplinary action should be taken.
- A recommendation that the student withdraws from their course – this will follow an emergency review, discussions with Local Authority and all associated agencies.
- A recommendation that the student be permanently expelled or formally suspended for a fixed period.
- That a lesser sanction be applied.
Documentation to be kept:
- Investigation notes and documents from previous sanctions
- Records of meetings that have taken place.
- Action plan and review from stage 2
- Disciplinary record form
- Copies of suspension letters to student / guardian
Approved by: Senior Management Team
Last Updated: September 2026
Next Review: August 2027
Staff Lead: Student Curriculum and Progress Manager