Better communication needed to stop children going missing from education, says Ofsted

The Children Missing From Education report, found that of the 15 areas the watchdog inspected, the nine that had academies were struggling to establish consistent communication about children at risk of going missing and, overall, there was little formal communication between the independent and state sectors about pupils’ movements out of independent schools.

Based on inspections between September and December 2009, the report also revealed that none of the authorities felt confident they knew of all children living within their boundaries, despite a legal duty to safeguard all children.

Inspectors were also concerned that even when local authorities had clear policies and processes with a strong emphasis on safeguarding, if schools disregarded them, this could quickly result in children and young people becoming "lost" from the system.

Patrick Leeson, Ofsted’s director for education and care, said: "Local authorities and their partners need to share information effectively and more systematically to identify children and young people who are missing from education, particularly when their whereabouts are unknown. Children who become lost to the system not only risk failing academically but can be exposed to vulnerable situations.

"It is of serious concern that some schools are not following agreed procedures and legal requirements for notifying their local authorities when pupils are excluded or taken off the roll."

In the best practice seen by inspectors, preventing children from going missing was dealt with at a high strategic level, often led by the education welfare service and starting with the promotion of good attendance from the moment children start school.

All local authorities were aware of the knowledge and information held by health professionals and good links in this area led to clearer identification of children who were not receiving education.

Ofsted is now recommending that central government clarifies the responsibilities for each part of local government in identifying children who live in a local authority, and to ensure that there are clear expectations and protocols for sharing information.

The report also calls on government to ensure academies and independent schools comply with the requirement to inform the local authority when a child is taken off the school roll and for academies to relay information about absences and exclusions.

Local authorities are also urged to ensure that all maintained schools cooperate fully with them on matters related to absence, exclusions and taking children off roll, and challenge unsafe or inappropriate practices. Close working with primary care trusts is also encouraged.