3A — Parent Options (Corrective Actions)

After a suspension, families often feel pressure to accept the decision immediately. However, you have the right to request corrections, clarification, and documentation before deciding your next steps.

This guide walks you through the corrective actions that can prevent escalation, fix procedural errors, and ensure all information is accurate and complete.

1. Request Corrections to Inaccurate Information

You can request corrections to any inaccurate, unclear, or incomplete information in:

• incident reports
• emails or written summaries
• behaviour records
• meeting notes
• the suspension letter itself

2. Request Required Documentation

Under policy, families may request copies of documentation used in the principal’s decision-making process. This includes:

• incident reports
• investigation notes
• witness statements
• risk assessments
• adjustment logs
• behaviour or support plans
• relevant email communication

Missing documentation is a key reason suspensions are overturned or corrected.

3. Request Evidence of Adjustments

The principal must ensure reasonable adjustments were in place. You may ask the school to show:

• what supports were planned
• which supports were used at the time
• how staff monitored or responded to triggers
• whether the environment was adjusted

4. Request a Review Meeting

Families may request a meeting to review:

• the decision-making process
• documentation used
• disability and wellbeing considerations
• adjustments and alternatives

This step often resolves misunderstandings early and prevents escalation.

5. Provide Your Own Written Statement

Families may submit a written statement for the school’s records. This becomes part of the decision file and must be stored alongside the school’s documents.

This is especially important when:

• you disagree with the school’s interpretation
• important context was missing
• disability factors were misunderstood
• adjustments were not acknowledged

6. Request Corrections to the Suspension Letter

If the letter contains errors (dates, reasons, missing mandatory components), you may request correction.

Ready for the next step?

The next guide explains how to escalate safely to the SEIL or Regional Office when required.