Identifying and addressing the risks associated with children being absent from or missing education
Dr Sandra Wiseman, Safeguarding Lead and Specialist at Services 4 Schools, examines the risks associated with children who are absent from school or missing from education.
What does it mean for a child to be absent from education or considered missing from education?
In educational settings, a child is considered absent from education when they frequently miss school over an extended period without valid reasons. If this pattern continues unaddressed, it can escalate into a more critical issue: a child missing from education. Children missing education (CME) are those aged 5 to 16 who are not registered in any school or receiving suitable alternative education. This not only results in lost learning opportunities but also increases their vulnerability to various safeguarding risks.
The risks and warning signs
When children are persistently absent or missing from education, it can be an indicator of deeper issues. Some key risks include:
1. Abuse, neglect, or exploitation: Children not in regular education may be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation, as they are less visible to trusted adults.
2. Safeguarding vulnerabilities: These children are more susceptible to harmful influences, such as criminal or sexual exploitation and radicalisation.
3. Mental health concerns: Absences can sometimes indicate underlying mental health issues.
4. Other risks: Other potential dangers include substance misuse, travel to conflict zones, female genital mutilation (FGM), honour-based abuse, or forced marriage.
Identifying children most at risk of going missing from education
Certain groups of children face a higher likelihood of becoming disengaged from school. These include:
· Children at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation
· Children from Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller families
· Children of service personnel
· Children who have run away from home or are in foster care
· Children involved with the youth justice system
· Children from new migrant families
Additionally, children already known to social services or who have a social worker may face increased safeguarding risks when absent from school.
Attendance and registration requirements: What schools must do
To help prevent and address absenteeism, schools must adhere to certain attendance protocols:
· Daily register: Schools are required to mark attendance daily and investigate any unexplained absences as part of their safeguarding responsibilities.
· Tracking absences: Schools must agree with the Local Authority (LA) on when to report pupils who are regularly absent or miss ten days or more without valid reasons.
· Updating the admission register: Schools should ensure that each pupil’s contact details, address, and other essential information are up to date. This helps track pupils and contact them if they stop attending.
Ensuring accurate and up-to-date records
Keeping accurate admission records is vital. For instance, if a pupil changes schools or moves to a new address, the school must:
· Record the full details of the pupil’s new address and the responsible parent/carer.
· Notify the Local Authority (LA) within five days if a pupil joins mid-year.
· Inform your LA of any deletions from your admission register when a pupil is taken off roll, except where a pupil’s name is deleted after they’ve completed the final year at your school.
What are 'reasonable enquiries'?
In cases where a child has been absent for an extended period (e.g. has not returned to school for 10 days after an authorised absence, or has been absent without authorisation for 20 consecutive days), schools and the LA must make “reasonable enquiries” to locate them. These steps might include:
· Contacting the child’s family: Using all known contact details, reach out to parents, carers, other family members or neighbours.
· Engaging local resources: Check databases within the LA or the Department for Education (DfE) systems, and collaborate with agencies involved with the family.
· Home visits: Conduct a home visit, following appropriate risk assessment procedures, and speak with neighbours or relatives if relevant.
· Check with the Ministry of Defence Children’ Education Advisory Service: In the case of children of service personnel.
If you are still unable to locate a pupil (and the local authority is also unable to find them), you should remove the pupil from your register only after receiving written confirmation from the local authority.
Actions schools can take to support at-risk pupils
Preventing pupils from going missing in education begins with strong school policies and vigilant staff. Schools can:
· Follow up on unauthorised absences: Ensure unauthorised absences are addressed promptly.
· Encourage parents/carers to update contact information: This is essential for keeping in touch in case of an emergency.
· Report safeguarding concerns: Staff should report any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), or directly to social care if immediate action is needed.
· Raise awareness among staff: The Department for Education’s “Keeping Children Safe in Education” guidance expects all school staff to understand the importance of addressing absenteeism as part of safeguarding.
Encouraging a collaborative approach to attendance
Strengthening communication between the school, families, and external agencies can help keep children safe and in school. Here are some ways schools can work towards this goal:
· Regularly communicate with families: Engage parents/carers through newsletters, emails, and school meetings to emphasise the importance of regular attendance.
· Hold discussions with staff: Encourage conversations about key indicators and strategies to identify and support at-risk pupils.
· Coordinate with the Local Authority: Ensure timely reporting to the LA of any pupil enrolments or removals that fall outside standard transition periods.
Questions for school staff to reflect on
To foster understanding and proactive engagement, schools might consider these questions during staff discussions:
1. How can we better identify and support pupils who are at risk of becoming disengaged from their learning?
2. How can parents/carers contribute to their child's school attendance, and what strategies can we use to engage them more effectively?
3. How can our school improve our communication and collaboration with external agencies to support children missing education?
4. What strategies have been effective in re-engaging absent pupils?
5. What resources would support our staff in addressing the needs of children missing education?
By maintaining clear policies, staying vigilant, and collaborating effectively with families and local agencies, schools can help prevent pupils from going missing in education. Early intervention is crucial to ensuring every child has a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment.
To discuss how Services 4 Schools can support you deliver safeguarding effectively, contact us on 0333 772 1272 or click the links below.