The participation of parents of children with additional learning needs (ALN) in the school exclusion process in Wales

Bridgeman, Jemma 2025. The participation of parents of children with additional learning needs (ALN) in the school exclusion process in Wales. Wales Journal of Education 27 (2) , pp. 6-28. 10.16922/wje.27.2.2

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Abstract

This study examined parents’ experiences of their child being excluded from school. Semi-structured interviews were completed with ten parents of children excluded from school; all children had an Additional Learning Need (ALN). Interviews explored parents’ experiences of participation in their children’s education before they were excluded from school and their experiences of participating in the exclusion process. Data was analysed using Davidson’s (1998) wheel of participation, which categorises participation as Inform, Consult, Participate and Empower. The findings showed that the majority of parents’ involvement was categorised as Inform, with school staff informing parents of negative behaviour and sanctions, rather than enabling them to participate in meetings to provide suggestions on the best way to work with their child. Participants who acknowledged that they had knowledge and experience of the education system found the school exclusion process procedural and stressful; they expressed concern for parents without their knowledge and experience. It is concluded that Davidson’s (1998) wheel of participation would be useful in school exclusion policy to describe how parents should be involved in different stages of the process.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Research Institutes & Centres > Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD)
Publisher:	University of Wales Press
ISSN:	2059-3708
Funders:	ESRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 November 2025
Date of Acceptance:	28 March 2025
Last Modified:	28 Nov 2025 11:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182731

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