Will the Welsh Government outline the kind of policies it considers to constitute indirect discrimination that can result in a disproportionate number of ethnic minority children being excluded from schools?
The Welsh Government’s exclusion from schools and pupil referral units (PRUs) guidance clearly specifies that all exclusion decisions must comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, requiring schools and local authorities to promote equality of opportunity for all learners. The guidance is clear that race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
The guidance also explicitly states that exclusion should be the last resort, with schools required to consider individual circumstances, explore preventative and supportive alternatives, and ensure decisions are fair, proportionate and justified.