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Children missing from education

Children missing education campaign poster

If you think a child is missing education make sure you do something about it.

Campaign resources

Download Back to School? campaign posters

Download Back to School? campaign leaflet

City of London Corporation Safeguarding Policy

Back to School?

To coincide with the start of the new school year in September, we launched our Back to School? campaign, together with the support of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board, to raise awareness around children going missing from education (CME).

The campaign highlighted:

the risks children missing education face
some of the signs to watch out for
what to do if you're concerned about a child

We all need to play our part in protecting children – identifying those who are missing from education and making sure they get back to school.

What to do

If you think a child is missing education or regularly appears to be out of school, contact the Children and Families Team (City of London Corporation):

Call 020 7332 3621 – Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm only.
Call 020 8356 2710 – at all other times, including weekends and bank holidays.
Email the team: cme@cityoflondon.gov.uk

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, always call the police on 999.

What are the dangers?

Children missing from education are more likely to be at risk of:

being abused or exploited at home
being illegally employed
becoming involved in criminal activity
committing antisocial behaviour
misusing drugs and alcohol

Which children are considered to be missing from education?

Those not registered (on roll) at a school.
Those not being educated at home or through another approved educational provision.

Parents can choose to educate their children at home but they must tell their local authority first. If they don't, the child will be considered as missing from education.

What are the most common reasons for children to go missing from education?

Parents not realising at what age a child should start primary school or move up to secondary school.
A child not attending school due to bullying, illness or other issues.
Parents taking their child out of school due to a dispute or disagreement.
A family moving house frequently or becoming homeless.
A family experiencing breakdown and/or domestic abuse.
No school places being available when a family moves to a new area.
Parents deciding to home educate but not informing the local authority.
Children playing a key role as a carer in their family.
Children in domestic servitude.

Absence from school

Attending school regularly is key to ensuring good exam results. Parents have a legal responsibility to make sure that their children attend school regularly. This means:

attending school every day
arriving at school on time
attending every lesson

Any requests for leave of absence during term time must be sent in writing, with plenty of notice, to the head teacher of your child's school. Generally, leave of absences during term time are agreed only in exceptional circumstances.

Schools and the Education Welfare Service will provide pupils and parents with support to overcome barriers to children attending school regularly. The Education and Inspections Act 2006.

There are consequences if parents do not ensure regular attendance.

Penalty notices (240KB) may be issued to parents for unauthorised absences, persistent lateness and missing lessons by their child. If unpaid after 42 days, these can be referred to a Magistrates' Court. If convicted, the parents could receive a criminal record.

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