'Children Missing in Education' refers to children who are not registered in a school or who have dropped out of education without a legitimate reason. This can leave them vulnerable to exploitation, neglect, and abuse, and is a serious concern for safeguarding professionals.

If a child is identified as missing in education, we have a duty to report it to the local authority and work with them to identify the child's whereabouts and ensure their safe return to education. Sustained absence may result in a child being taken off role in cases where a pupil has failed to attend within 10 days after an exceptional leave of absence or unauthorised absence of 20 days or more.

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