Refer for Legal Intervention

To support schools in making strong, well-evidenced referrals for legal intervention, we are pleased to offer a new legal intervention consultation service. 

This service allows school staff to book a consultation appointment with the Legal Intervention Officer to: 

• Discuss the details of the referral
• Review the evidence and documentation gathered 
• Ensure all steps of the Support First Approach have been completed
• Confirm that the referral meets the criteria for legal action
• Receive guidance on any missing information or improvements needed

How it works

• Consultations are available by appointment and can be booked via the link on the right-hand side of this page
• Schools must complete and submit the online referral form before booking a consultation
• The Legal Intervention Officer will review the submitted referral ahead of the appointment
• During the consultation, the officer will discuss the referral with the school and may add any additional information gathered during the meeting directly to the referral form
• Appointments are typically 20-30 minutes and can be held virtually or by phone
• Schools will receive feedback on whether the referral meets the criteria for legal intervention or if further information or steps are required.

This service is designed to help schools feel confident that their referral is complete, appropriate, and stands the best chance of being approved for legal action. 

Is a consultation required? 

Booking a legal intervention consultation is not mandatory. Schools may choose to complete and submit the referral form without scheduling a consultation.

However, please note, if the referral form is submitted without a consultation and the Legal Intervention Officer identifies missing information or unresolved queries, the school may be asked to book a consultation before the referral can be progressed. 

Failure to book a consultation when requested will result in the referral being rejected. In such cases, the Local Authority may escalate concerns to the Headteacher or appropriate senior leader to ensure future referrals meet the required standards. 

This process ensures that all referrals are complete, appropriate, and supported by sufficient evidence in line with the local Code of Conduct. 

Important: Who should attend the consultation? 

To ensure the legal intervention consultation is productive and leads to a successful referral, it is essential that schools carefully consider who is best placed to attend.

The staff member attending the consultation must:

• Have full knowledge of the case, including the pupil's attendance history and all support offered 
• Be able to confidently answer questions about the referral and provide any necessary clarification
• Have access to all relevant documentation and records

If the attending staff member is unable to provide the required information during the consultation, the Legal Intervention Officer may end the session and advise that the school rebook with the Senior Attendance Champion or another appropriate member of staff.

This ensures that referrals are handled efficiently and that the consultation supports the best possible outcome for the pupil and the school.