School Unreturned or Continuously Absent Pupil Enquiry Record
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Attendance leads, designated safeguarding leads, headteachers and other authorised staff in maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Blank fields · read-only preview
When to use this record
Complete this record when a pupil has not returned from a period of leave or has had a continuous period of absence and the school is undertaking reasonable enquiries, including work with the School Local Authority where needed, to try to establish where the pupil is.
Pupil and school details
Pupil full name
RequiredEnter the pupil's current recorded name.
Written response
Pupil admission number or unique school identifier
RequiredUse the identifier recorded in the school's pupil records.
Written response
School name
RequiredEnter the name of the maintained or academy school completing this record.
Written response
Name and role of person completing the record
RequiredIdentify the staff member responsible for this record.
Written response
Date this enquiry record was opened
RequiredEnter the date on which the school began recording this enquiry.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Absence or non-return details
Reason this enquiry has been opened
RequiredSelect all circumstances that apply.
Choose all that apply
- Pupil has not returned from a period of leave
- Pupil has had a continuous period of absence
- The pupil's current whereabouts cannot be established through normal attendance contact
- Other attendance-related concern requiring reasonable enquiries
- Other
If other, please specify
Last date the pupil attended school
RequiredEnter the last date on which attendance was recorded, if known.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Expected return date from leave, if applicable
Complete this field only where the enquiry concerns non-return from leave.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Number of consecutive school days absent, if known
Enter the number of consecutive school days absent at the time this record is completed.
Number
Minimum: 1 · Maximum: 366
Information already held about the absence or possible whereabouts
RequiredRecord relevant factual information, including information provided by the pupil, parent or carer, school staff or other appropriate sources. Do not include unsupported assumptions.
Written response
Contact attempts and reasonable enquiries
Methods used for contact or enquiry
RequiredSelect all methods used. Record the date, person contacted, number or address used where appropriate, result, and next action in the notes below.
Choose all that apply
- Telephone call
- Text message
- Letter or other written contact
- Home visit
- Contact with an emergency contact
- Contact with another relevant professional or agency
- Contact or coordination with the School Local Authority
- Other
If other, please specify
Date of first recorded contact attempt or reasonable enquiry
RequiredEnter the date of the earliest action recorded for this enquiry.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Chronological log of contact attempts and reasonable enquiries
RequiredFor each action, record the date and time, person or organisation contacted, method, factual outcome, information obtained, and any planned follow-up. Include joint or coordinated actions with the School Local Authority where applicable.
Written response
School Local Authority coordination status
RequiredSelect the status that applies to this enquiry.
Choose one
- Not yet contacted
- Contacted for advice or information
- Joint or coordinated reasonable enquiries underway
- Relevant information shared with the School Local Authority
- Awaiting a response or further action
- Not needed for the current stage, with reason recorded below
School Local Authority contact and action details
Complete where the School Local Authority has been contacted or coordination is planned. Record the contact date, team or officer, information shared or requested, actions agreed, and any review date.
Written response
Sources of information obtained
Select all sources that provided information relevant to the enquiry.
Choose all that apply
- Parent or carer
- Pupil
- Relative or emergency contact
- School staff
- School Local Authority
- Another professional or agency
- Neighbour or community source
- No information obtained
- Other
If other, please specify
Information obtained and assessment of its reliability
Record only relevant factual information, how it was obtained, any uncertainty, and how it affects the next steps.
Written response
Safeguarding and escalation decisions
Safeguarding or escalation actions taken
RequiredSelect all actions that apply. If a concern is identified, follow the school's safeguarding and escalation procedures and record the action taken below.
Choose all that apply
- No safeguarding concern identified at this stage
- Designated Safeguarding Lead or deputy consulted
- Safeguarding referral or consultation made
- Police contacted
- Children's social care contacted
- Health service or another relevant agency contacted
- Escalated to a senior school leader
- Urgent action required
- Other
If other, please specify
Safeguarding or escalation rationale and actions
Complete where safeguarding or escalation action was taken, or where a concern remains. Record the concern, decision-maker, date, action, reference where appropriate, and immediate next steps. Do not include unnecessary sensitive detail.
Written response
Review and outcome
Next review or follow-up date
Complete while the pupil's whereabouts or attendance status remains unresolved.
- Day
- Month
- Year
Current outcome of the enquiry
RequiredSelect the outcome that best describes the position when this record is reviewed.
Choose one
- Whereabouts established and pupil has returned to school
- Whereabouts established but pupil has not returned
- Pupil is reported to be attending or moving to another education setting
- Pupil or family is reported to have moved away
- Safeguarding or other agency follow-up is continuing
- School Local Authority follow-up is continuing
- Pupil's whereabouts have not been established
- Enquiry closed for another recorded reason
Outcome details and outstanding actions
RequiredRecord the factual outcome, date of outcome, actions completed, actions still required, responsible person or organisation, and any date for further review.
Written response
Date this enquiry record was closed, if applicable
Leave blank if the enquiry remains open.
- Day
- Month
- Year
I confirm that this record is based on the information available at the time of completion and that outstanding actions have been identified
RequiredSelect this confirmation only after reviewing the record for accuracy and completeness.
- Tick when complete