School Unexpected and Unexplained Absence Response Procedure

This procedure applies to pupils on the school roll in maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England. It must be used alongside the school’s attendance, safeguarding and child-protection arrangements and does not replace case-specific professional judgement.

1. Identify the absence

When a pupil on the school roll is absent and the absence is unexpected and unexplained, treat the absence as requiring prompt enquiry.

2. Make enquiries

Immediately make enquiries to establish the pupil’s whereabouts. The school must have arrangements whereby every unexpected and unexplained absence is promptly enquired about. Use the school’s attendance and safeguarding arrangements, including [school absence enquiry route], to make and coordinate the enquiry.

Record the enquiries made, the attempts to establish the pupil’s whereabouts and the outcome in [school attendance or safeguarding record].

3. Escalate immediate danger or risk of harm

If there is reason to believe that the pupil is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, refer the matter to children’s social care using [children social care referral route].

Refer the matter to the police where appropriate, using [police referral route].

Record any referral made and the relevant outcome in [school safeguarding record], in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child-protection arrangements.

4. Apply professional judgement

Apply case-specific professional judgement throughout the response and follow the school’s safeguarding and child-protection arrangements where they require further action.