Children missing education

A registered pupil is considered missing when:

• he or she fails to attend school without any explanation

• the school has been unable to find out the reason or locate the pupil, either with any of the contact names at the last known address or from intelligence from the wider school community

• the pupil's parents or carers have not provided information to indicate a change of education provision, or unavoidable cause for the pupil’s absence, or that the pupil is travelling with them whilst in pursuit of their business

Action to be taken

If a pupil goes missing from school without any explanation for their absence the school should follow procedure depending on whether the:

• pupil missing from school is considered to be at high risk
• pupil missing from school is not considered to be at high risk