All children, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to an efficient, full time education which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.
It is the County Council's statutory role to identify Children Missing Education (CME) and ensure that they get back into it. CME refers to all children of compulsory school age who are not on the roll of a school nor being educated otherwise (for example, privately or in alternative provision such as elective home education).
Children who miss education run a higher risk of underachieving, becoming victims of abuse or neglect and becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) later on in life.
Please let us know if you are a local authority or member of the public and are aware of a child who is not currently on the roll of a school, nor being educated otherwise.
You can complete the online form anonymously. We will carry out checks before contacting parents and carers. By making a referral you are helping vulnerable children remain safe and well.
Please note - This form is only to be used to report children who are not thought to be on the roll of a school nor in receipt of alternative provision. It is not a mechanism for reporting children who are on the roll of a school but not attending.
For all attendance or truancy queries, please seek advice from the Pupil Entitlement Investigations Team on 033 022 28200.
If you are a school wishing to notify us of a child who has been removed from your roll and you have followed all of the necessary statutory guidance, please complete the online form which is available on the services for schools website.
For your information, or if you have any other query, please contact a member of the CME team either by phone or secure email:
You can find further information in the policy document: