The process of tracking pupils at risk of missing from education is part of our collective responsibility and ongoing commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
Pupils Missing out on Education (PME)
Pupils missing out on education (PME) are children of compulsory school age who may be on the roll of a school or setting but aren't accessing full-time education - either in school or in alternative provision.
There may be a range of legitimate reasons why a child may miss out on education such - for example non-attendance due to medical needs - and is it the role of the Inclusion service to track and monitor the reasons for this to ensure that the educational offer is appropriate for the child and help to co-ordinate additional support where required.
Part-time education and timetables
The Department of Education, school attendance guidance 2019, states that part-time timetables cannot be used, as all pupils of compulsory school age are entitled to a full-time education.
In very exceptional circumstances, schools are permitted to provide less than a full-time education, including placing a pupil on a part-time timetable. This shouldn't be treated as a long-term plan and an end date, when the child will return to school, must be given and reviewed.
If a reduced timetable is considered for pupils missing out on education, schools are required to inform the Inclusion service to make them aware of the arrangements using the 'Record absence data' online form:
Record absence data - online form
Support available for pupils missing out on education
There can be many barriers for why children may not attend school and there are a number of services that can support schools and professionals who work with children and need extra help in regards to safeguarding, special educational needs, health, wellbeing and behaviour management.
ADHD Solutions – provides support for children, young people and adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Specialist Teaching Service - provides free support and advice for schools and families about specific areas of SEND including support with hearing, vision, learning, Autism and assistive technology for education.
Specialist health services, such as Public Health and Healthy Schools – provide support from universal and targeted health care services
Multi Agency Travellers Unit (MATU) - Gypsy and Traveller services aiming to enhance quality of life and provide access to health and education services
Inclusion forums - offer support for schools to enable all children and young people to engage effectively in education and training, including support from Oakfield Short Stay School, Leicestershire Secondary Education and Inclusion Partnerships and other agencies attending the forums.
Leicestershire Virtual School - support for Looked After Children – support offered to Early Years settings, families, schools, carers and social workers to improve education of children in care
Educational psychology service - providing information for parents and carers, young people and children about how the Leicestershire educational psychology service can support inclusion and learning, wellbeing, and positive futures for all.
Family Help Service - provide early help services to families, where they're experiencing difficulties that can't be supported by universal services such as schools or GPs alone.
The Professionals Service Directory provides a list of emotional, mental health and wellbeing services that are available across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and how to access them.
School to school outreach support for children with SEND
Using the knowledge and skills of teachers working within special schools, and their experiences of working with children and young people with complex needs, the schools offer support to children in mainstream settings with complex SEND needs. There are 6 schools that offer localised support:
Removing a child from school roll
All schools including maintained, academy and independent, are required to notify the Inclusion Team when they remove a child from a school roll, giving information of the reason for why the child is being deleted and providing any necessary details to help us to confirm the child’s future educational placement. Please complete the:
Record absence data - online form
If the forwarding information is not available, we would ask that schools contact the Inclusion service directly by calling 0116 305 2071.
Deletion from admissions register
Early years children missing education
There is no national guidance for children of non-statutory school age. Our best practice guidance is developed in line with the statutory guidance for local authorities on children missing education, to ensure clear processes are in place for all children in the early years foundation stage (EYFS):