Children missing education case and absence response record

Use the school’s case-recording reference. Do not include unnecessary personal information.

Record the pupil’s full name in accordance with the school’s information-governance arrangements.

Record the identifier used by the school, where applicable.

Use the date recorded in the school’s pupil records.

Record the pupil’s current year group or key stage.

Record the local authority responsible for the child’s home area, if known.

Update this field when the status changes.

Select all that apply and record the relevant dates and evidence below.

Record the last date on which the pupil was known to attend, if applicable.

Complete where the trigger is failure to attend on the agreed admission date.

Complete where relevant to the case. Use the attendance record as the source.

Record the position known at the time of referral or review.

Record relevant, proportionate information about the pupil and family circumstances, including information received from the pupil or family where available. Use a child-centred approach and avoid speculation.

Select all enquiries undertaken and add the outcome in the notes field. Actions should be proportionate to the individual circumstances and evidence.

Unexpected and unexplained absences should be promptly enquired about.

For each significant enquiry or contact, record the date, person or service contacted, method, information obtained, action agreed and any unsuccessful attempts.

Record the relevant information shared, recipient, date, purpose and any limitations or consent position. Share information in accordance with applicable safeguarding and information-sharing arrangements.

If there is a concern about safety or welfare, take immediate action under the school’s child-protection arrangements and involve the designated safeguarding lead. Do not delay urgent action while completing this record.

Complete where safeguarding consideration has taken place.

Complete where a safeguarding action or referral was made.

Record the decision, urgency, advice received, referral destination and any immediate protective action. Do not include unnecessary sensitive detail.

Where enquiries reasonably indicate that the pupil will no longer attend and the required written notice has not been provided, refer to the child’s home local authority CME team as soon as possible.

Complete if a CME referral was made.

Record the team or officer contacted, contact method and any local-authority reference, if provided.

Record further reasonable enquiries, updates to share, responsible people, review dates and communication with the local authority. Continue until enquiries conclude or it is mutually agreed that the school has no further action to take.

Complete while enquiries or agreed actions remain ongoing.

Record the decision supported by the available evidence. For grounds involving prolonged absence or failure to return after leave, record the outcome of joint reasonable enquiries before considering deletion from the school roll.

Complete when the case is closed or the school’s action ceases by agreement.

Explain the evidence, decision, agreement with the local authority where applicable, and any reason the expected procedure was not followed.

Record the staff member’s name and role.

Record the date of this entry.