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Statutory Framework
KCSIE 2026 requires all schools to have clear processes for following up unexplained absence and to be alert to children who go missing from education as a potential indicator of abuse or exploitation. The DSL must be involved in monitoring attendance patterns that give cause for concern.
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 identifies children missing from education as a key risk indicator requiring multi-agency response, particularly in relation to county lines, CSE, and running away from home.
Key Legislation
- Education Act 1996, s.436A: Local authorities must make arrangements to identify children of compulsory school age in their area not receiving suitable education (CME duty)
- Education Act 1996, s.444: Parents commit an offence if child fails to attend school regularly
- Children Act 1989: Missing/absent children may trigger s.17 (child in need) or s.47 (child protection) duties depending on risk level
- Children Act 2004, s.10: Local authorities must promote cooperation between agencies, including for attendance and CME.
DfE Attendance Guidance (2024)
- ✓ Schools must take attendance registers twice daily
- ✓ Unexplained absences must be followed up on the first day
- ✓ Persistent absence (PA) threshold: missing 10% or more of sessions
- ✓ Schools must inform LA of children who fail to attend regularly without explanation
- Attendance data must be shared with the DSL, not siloed in admin.
- ✓ A safeguarding concern should be raised if unexplained absence is recurrent and reasons cannot be established
Why Attendance Is a Safeguarding Issue
School attendance is not simply an educational metric. For many vulnerable children, school is the one safe, supervised space in their day, the place where harm is most likely to be noticed. When a child is absent, the protective function of school disappears.
Absence removes the school's ability to spot harm
Bruising, fearfulness, weight loss, and behavioural changes are noticed by teachers and support staff. An absent child is invisible to the professionals most likely to identify abuse. The longer the absence, the greater the window of undetected harm.
Absence is often caused by harm
Children may be kept home by an abusive parent or carer. Young people being exploited are often prevented from attending school. Anxiety and depression, sometimes caused by abuse, drive school refusal. What matters for safeguarding is why a child is absent, not simply the fact of absence.
Exclusion significantly increases risk
Permanently excluded pupils are 6 times more likely to be involved in criminal activity (Centre for Social Justice, 2023). Fixed-term exclusions, particularly repeated ones, follow the same pattern. DSLs must ensure safeguarding plans are in place before exclusion decisions are made.
Children Missing Education (CME)
Definition: A child of compulsory school age (5, 16) who is not registered at any school and is not receiving suitable education otherwise than at school is a Child Missing Education . Local authorities have a statutory duty under s.436A Education Act 1996 to identify and make provision for CME.
Common CME Routes
- ● Child withdrawn from school without new school found
- ● Family moved without notifying school or LA
- ● Child returns from abroad and does not re-enrol
- ● Child permanently excluded, not placed in alternative provision
- ● Child "cuckooed" and living in a different area due to exploitation
- ● Family with no fixed address, falling between LA boundaries
School Duties When a Pupil Goes Missing
- ✓ Attempt to contact family on first day of unexplained absence
- If no contact is made after 5 days, notify the LA CME team.
- If a safeguarding concern exists, refer to MASH immediately (do not wait 5 days).
- ✓ Before removing from roll, school must notify LA
- ✓ Schools must not remove pupils from roll without evidence of alternative provision or address
- ✓ Document all contact attempts and outcomes
Critical: Removing a child from the school roll to "manage" poor attendance is unlawful (DfE guidance, 2024). It eliminates school oversight and creates a safeguarding blind spot. Off-rolling is a regulatory and safeguarding failure.
Elective home education and the 5-day notification duty: Under Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, schools must notify the local authority within five working days when a child is removed from the roll at a non-standard transition point, sharing any relevant safeguarding information at the same time. See our guide: Elective Home Education and Safeguarding: What DSLs Need to Know in 2026.
The County Lines & Exploitation Link
The National Crime Agency's County Lines Programme (2024) consistently identifies school absence as the single most reliable early warning indicator of child criminal exploitation (CCE). Children being exploited are often:
- ● Absent during term time (especially Monday mornings and Friday afternoons)
- ● Missing during school holidays, particularly extended periods
- ● Present at school but collecting drugs or money on school premises
- ● Travelling long distances, cuckooed in another town or city
- ● Attending school but distracted, tired, or unable to concentrate
- ● Arriving late, leaving early, or disappearing during the day
- ● Reporting illness frequently, which may indicate coming down from drugs or recovering from violence.
- ● Dropped by unknown adults at school in an unknown vehicle, with no parent present.
DSL Action: Attendance data must be shared with the DSL, not held in isolation by the attendance officer. If a pattern emerges, a safeguarding enquiry should begin. Cross-reference with welfare concerns, behaviour logs, and intelligence from pastoral staff.
Attendance Warning Signs: A Quick-Reference Guide
| Pattern | What It May Indicate | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Monday morning / Friday afternoon absences (recurring) | County lines drug running at weekends | Refer to DSL; cross-reference welfare concerns |
| Holiday absences, especially unexplained | Cuckooing; being controlled by OCG | Contact family; refer to MASH if no contact |
| Sudden deterioration in attendance after a period of good attendance | New exploitation contact; relationship breakdown at home; onset of MH crisis | Welfare check; speak with child directly |
| Persistent lateness or early departures | Being controlled; caring responsibilities; chaotic home life | Log pattern; pastoral conversation; consider early help |
| No contact from family after multiple attempts | Family avoiding contact; child removed from parental care; family in crisis | Notify CME team; consider MASH referral; welfare visit |
| Frequent short absences (1 to 2 days) with varying explanations | Anxiety-driven school avoidance; bullying; chaotic home environment | Pastoral support plan; consider early help referral |
The DSL Response Protocol
-
1
Day 1: Unexplained absence
Attendance officer contacts family by phone. If there is no contact, escalate to form tutor or year head. Record outcome. If the child is known to the DSL as a safeguarding concern, the DSL is notified the same day.
-
2
Days 2, 5: Continued unexplained absence
The DSL attempts contact via all known numbers and email. If the child is on a Child Protection Plan or is a Looked After Child, refer to the social worker immediately. For high-risk cases, consider a home visit.
-
3
5+ days: No contact established
Notify local authority CME team. If there is a safeguarding risk, refer to MASH. Consider requesting a police welfare check via 101. Document all attempts to establish contact and do not remove the child from roll.
-
4
Persistent Absence: pattern identified
Convene a multi-agency review if appropriate. Develop an Attendance Support Plan in collaboration with the family and consider an Early Help Assessment. Share intelligence with all relevant professionals and monitor weekly.
Persistent Absence DSL Checklist
Use this checklist when a pupil reaches or is approaching the 10% persistent absence threshold.
Who to Contact
For Schools and Professionals
- Local MASH: For safeguarding referrals , use our MASH Finder
- Local Authority CME Team: For children missing from education, contact your LA Children's Services.
- Police 101: To request a welfare check on a child you cannot locate
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000 , Professional advice line
- NCA County Lines Team: nca.police.uk/county-lines
For Young People and Families
- Childline: 0800 1111 , Free, 24/7, confidential
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
- Fearless: fearless.org , Anonymous crime reporting for young people
- Missing People: 116 000 , If a young person is missing
- 999 , If the child is in immediate danger