Missing children are not tracked

Figures obtained by Children & Young People Now show that nearly one in five English councils are not counting how many children are missing from education.

The data also suggests government estimates for the number of children missing from education have underestimated the scale of the problem.

Children & Young People Now found that 18 per cent of councils were unable to provide information on the number of children missing from education. This is despite councils being obliged to keep a record of these children under the Children Act 2004.

Children's professionals said the lack of information raises child protection concerns. Hugh Thornbery, director of children's services at charity NCH, said: "The children missing are likely to be the most vulnerable in society. It's vital that local authorities keep thorough records if these children are to be protected and the problem must be successfully tackled if they are to have access to the education they deserve."

But John Freeman, joint president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, said many local authorities already had a comprehensive database of children missing from education, and others were working on them.

"Local authorities make every effort to ensure children are admitted to school with minimum delay. Problems can occur when children or their parents are not known to the local authority. In these cases inter-agency working is vital," he said.

- Analysis, p15

- Feature, p24.