Positive Behaviours Policy

Title  ACL Positive Behaviours Policy, Incorporating the ACL Exclusion Process
Responsible Group  ACL Senior Leadership Team
Author  Vice Principal Quality and Compliance
Intended Audience  All ACL employees, volunteers, learners, and other service users.  This policy applies to ACL learners of all ages whether working within an ACL Centre or as part of on-line learning.  All of these types of learners will be referred to as “learners” in this document
Status   Live / Archived
Version  2
Last Review and Approval  July 2025
Approved By  ACL Senior Leadership Team
Next Review   October 2026
Original Date of Acceptance  16th March 2010
Changes Made  Y
Stored Location   Master Copy on ACL Teams/ACL Essex/Line Managers

ACL Website (service users)

ACL Staff Portal (staff)

 

Changes Made and Date  .
October 2025 Policy rewritten, online form created, letter templates created, new behaviour and exclusion flow chart created.

Our Vision

Giving Essex residents the opportunity to be the best they can be and achieve their goals.

Our Mission

To provide a high-quality learning offer that makes a positive difference to the lives of residents and businesses of Essex.

Our Values

Inclusion:

Treating each other with respect and kindness and embracing the diversity of our communities.

Respect:

Being kind to each other, acting with integrity and being considerate of each other’s feelings.

Inspiring:

A sense of purpose and responsibility, to create positive change.

Ambitious:

Helping colleagues and learners to realise their potential and overcome barriers to reach their goals.

Sustainable:

Making green choices so that we leave a smaller impact on our environment now, and don’t compromise future generations.

Collaborative:

Pulling together as a team so everyone can learn and succeed.

Introduction

Policy Aims and Intention

This policy sets out ACL’s expectations for learner behaviour and the procedures for managing misconduct, including exclusions. It applies to all learners including apprentices, regardless of age or learning mode (in-centre, work based, or online) and aims to promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.

ACL is committed to fostering positive behaviours that reflect our values of Inclusion, Respect, Inspiration, Ambition, Sustainability, and Collaboration. Learners are expected to uphold these values and adhere to the ACL Learner Agreement, Charter, and Netiquette.

Misconduct will be addressed proportionately, with consideration given to individual circumstances, including disabilities and protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Only learners, authorised visitors and staff are allowed on ACL premises, unauthorised individuals found on site will be asked to leave immediately

See appendix 6 for flow chart of behaviours and exclusion process.

DEFINITIONS OF MISCONDUCT

 Behaviour Categories

Misconduct is categorised into four levels:

Category 1: Informal Intervention

 Low-level disruption eg

  • Talking over others during class
  • Arriving late without valid reason
  • Using mobile phones inappropriately during sessions
  • Mild disruption or lack of engagement
  • Minor breaches of ACL Netiquette in online learning

Outcomes at this stage:

  • No further action
  • Verbal warning
  • Fill in online form
  • Decision to escalate to minor misconduct

Category 2: Minor Misconduct

Disruption of learning or breach of ACL policies eg

  • Repeated disruption of teaching or learning
  • Failure to follow reasonable staff instructions (e.g., health and safety guidance)
  • Smoking in non-designated areas
  • Plagiarism or cheating in coursework or assessments
  • Inappropriate comments on social media that reflect poorly on ACL
  • Persistent breaches of the Learner Agreement or Charter
  • Referred to Curriculum Lead or appropriate manager

Reporting lines and accountability

To ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability in managing learner behaviour, the following reporting lines apply for minor misconduct:

Initial Incident Reporting

Minor Misconduct
➤ Reported by tutor or staff member to Curriculum Lead or Learning manager for investigation and follow up
➤ Recorded using online form, letter sent to learner (using template in appendix 1)
➤ Curriculum Lead investigates and determines next steps

Outcomes at this stage

  • No further action
  • A reinforcement of the verbal warning
  • ACL Behaviours Policy and Exclusion process will be applied
  • A written warning or final written warning using template in appendix 1
  • Decision to escalate to gross misconduct

Category 3: Gross Misconduct

Serious breaches eg

  • Bullying or harassment (including online)
  • Discriminatory behaviour (e.g., racist, sexist, or homophobic remarks)
  • Fraudulent claims for funding or fee remission
  • Misuse of ACL systems or data (e.g., accessing illegal content)
  • Physical aggression or threats
  • Possession or suspected use of illegal substances on ACL premises
  • Theft or deliberate damage to property
  • Referred to Curriculum & Learning Manager and SLT

Reporting lines and accountability

 To ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability in managing learner behaviour, the following reporting lines apply for gross misconduct:

➤ Reported to Curriculum & Learning Manager for investigation and follow up
➤ Recorded using online form (suspension/final warning or exclusion), letter to learner (using template in appendix 2)
➤ Safeguarding Team involved if appropriate
➤ Investigation led by Curriculum & Learning Manager or nominated SLT member
➤ SLT informed immediately

Outcomes at this stage

  • No further action
  • Reinforcement of a decision under minor misconduct. (suspension or exclusion)
  • ACL suspension process will be applied for a defined period.

This list of examples is not exhaustive but is indicative of the severity of such offences and the fact that such behaviour can affect the well-being of the ACL community and therefore will not be tolerated.

Where appropriate and required serious misconduct will be reported to the police.

Category 4: Exceptional Exclusion

 Immediate exclusion for severe breaches e.g

  • Carrying or using offensive weapons (e.g., knives, corrosive substances)
  • Criminal activity on ACL premises
  • Behaviour that seriously damages ACL’s reputation
  • Actions that pose a serious risk to learners or staff
  • Repeated gross misconduct with no improvement
  • Requires agreement from three SLT members, including the principal
  • No right of appeal

Learner must be sent exclusion letter (appendix 3) and online form to be filled in at this stage.

Exclusion Panel

Convened when exclusion is recommended, composed of:

  • ACL Principal
  • Vice Principal Quality and Compliance
  • One other Senior Leader or Extended Leadership Team member
  • Decision recorded using online form

ACL will follow ECC’s procedures regarding putting a risk of violence marker on our records.

The aim of a marker is to help alert staff to individuals who pose or could pose a risk of violence and enable them to reduce this risk.

VIOLENT PEOPLE WARNING MARKERS PROCEDURE

Method of Implementation

  • Learners are inducted into ACL’s behaviour expectations
  • All incidents, investigations, and outcomes are recorded and stored securely under GDPR
  • Vice Principal Quality and Compliance oversees monitoring and evaluation of policy implementation

PROCESS FOR APPEALS

Appeals must be made in writing to the ACL Principal, setting out the reasons for the appeal within 5 days of the exclusion. Use appendix 4

➤ Submitted in writing to ACL Principal
➤ Reviewed by Principal or Vice Principal (if not involved in original decision)
➤ Response issued within 14 working days

Monitoring and Oversight

➤ Vice Principal Quality and Compliance oversees:

  • Investigations
  • Record-keeping
  • Policy compliance
  • Annual review and evaluation

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluating safeguarding and EDI processes involves maintaining:

  • Records of warnings given
  • Records of supporting evidence
  • Records of actions taken
  • Records of Exclusions
  • Records of Appeals

The Vice Principal Quality and Compliance be responsible for monitoring the progress of any investigations and subsequent actions.  All records will be treated as confidential and stored in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018.

Related Policies

  • ACL Safeguarding and Prevent Policy Policy
  • ACL Fitness to Learn Policy
  • ACL Equality and Diversity Policy
  • ACL Learning Support Policy
  • ACL Harassment and Bullying Policy
  • ACL Exams Policies

Related Documentation

ACL Learner Charter

ACL Netiquette

ACL Learner Agreement

Stored Location

Public Access

Staff Access