Pupil health and wellbeing
Safeguarding
Children missing education (CME)
Children missing education
This section provides key messages for schools, relating to the effectiveness of safeguarding procedures for Children missing education (CME) and children not receiving education (CNRE) including in-year admissions and leavers. CME are those of statutory school age, and not on a school roll for more than 20 school days.
Guidance on safeguarding and CME is also available on the DCSF website. On the Ealing Grid for Learning there is a CME page with Ealing's guidance on CME (updating in progress November 2009), which includes a pack for schools.
There is a statutory duty in the Education Act 1996 for local authorities to identify and track CME and maintain a CME register.
There is an obvious overlap with safeguarding as CME are at risk of other disadvantage. The designated safeguarding lead in the school should, even where not the lead for admissions, leavers and CME, be aware of the school’s duties and responsibilities in these areas. They should ensure that staff are similarly aware and that if they have concerns raise these so safeguarding procedures are instigated when appropriate.
Schools should make referrals to Ealing's ‘in-year (casual) admissions and children missing education’. Please contact the team if your school needs any guidance on this matter.
Key messages on school admissions, waiting lists, referrals, appeals, policies and best practice.
Key messages on best practice and statutory duties to deal with leavers and school absence.
Key messages on school staff wider duty towards welfare of children, training and arranging reviews.
CME contact details.