Children missing education

Children at risk

The government says some children living in certain circumstances are at greater risk of missing education.

An Ofsted report on pupils missing out on education, published in November 2013, focused on children and young people who:

  • have been permanently excluded
  • have particular social and behavioural difficulties and have personalised learning plans - this means that, by arrangement, they do not attend their usual school full time
  • have mental health needs and access Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services (EWMHS) for children and young people - formerly Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) - either as an in-patient or through services provided in the community
  • have medical needs other than mental health needs
  • rarely attend school and have personalised learning plans as part of attempts to reintegrate them into full-time education
  • are pregnant or are young mothers of compulsory school age
  • have complex needs for which no suitable school place is available

In addition, small numbers of children and young people may not currently attend school in the usual way because they:

  • are returning from custody and a school place has not been found for them
  • are new to the country and are awaiting a school place
  • are from a Gypsy, Roma or traveller background and alternative provision has been made
  • have moved from another area and a school place has not been secured - this may include children who are looked after

This list is not exhaustive.