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Save Children missing education
The Government is concerned about any child missing education, as it is not just children's educational attainment that is put at risk, but also potentially their safety and welfare. That is why the Education and Inspections Act 2006 placed a statutory duty on all LAs to make arrangements to identify children missing education in their area (part 1, section 4). The duty came into force on 27 February 2007, and statutory guidance to support the duty was published at the same time. Revised statutory guidance was published in January 2009 following a public consultation which was held from August to October 2008.
The revised statutory guidance does not make changes to the law regarding this duty. Guidance has been revised to reflect priorities that have emerged since the original version was published; and to reflect LAs' initial experience of implementing the duty.
Children missing education are defined as children of compulsory school age who are not on a school roll, and who are not receiving a suitable education elsewhere: for example, at home, privately, or in alternative provision.
The overall aim of work at national and local level is to ensure that fewer children drop out of education, and those who do are drawn back quickly and with lasting success.
Statutory guidance (revised) for local authorities in England to identify children not receiving a suitable education (January 2009)
Children missing education: Experiences of implementing the DfES guidelines (September 2006)
Integrated working fact sheets
Cross-cutting information on integrated working, including a fact sheet on children missing education.
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Last updated on 19/01/2009
