Children missing education

The responsibilities of the children missing education (CME) team and what you can do if you believe a child is missing education.

The CME team is responsible for ensuring that Suffolk County Council fulfils its statutory responsibilities for identifying children missing education and responds accordingly.

Where a child, residing in Suffolk, is reported as missing education, the CME team will provide support and guidance to the family, schools and other Local Authority professionals to ensure the child is provided with a suitable education. We also provide school staff with advice when removing a pupil from their school roll.

A child is not missing education when:

They are registered on a school role; however, the pupil may be recorded on the attendance certificate as having unauthorised non-attendance. (Further information can be found in the Pupil attendance, penalty notices and welfare section.)
They are receiving a full time, effective Elective Home Education (EHE)(Further information can be found in the Elective Home Education (EHE) section.)
Attending an alternative educational provision, such as a pupil referral unit (PRU).

They failed to start in Reception Year at a school.
They did not move from one school to another. For example, when moved to/from another Local Authority area/district.
They failed to transfer into a secondary school.
They have been permanently excluded from school.
They have failed to register in a school after travelling/living outside the UK.
Their parent(s) are military personnel.
They are part of a travelling community.
Elective Home Education (EHE) has been deemed unsuitable by the Local Authority.

A Notice to Satisfy is issued to a parent when previous contact with the family by other means has failed to result in satisfactory evidence of suitable education being provided for the child.

The Notice requires the parent to:

Satisfy the Local Authority that the child is receiving suitable education or
To make school applications to return the child to a school roll.

Failure to do the above will cause the Local Authority to take steps to identify an appropriate school for the child to attend through a School Attendance Order (SAO). The parent is given 15 calendar days to respond.

A SAO is a legal document issued by the Local Authority when it believes a child of compulsory school age is not receiving suitable education and is not registered at a school.

It requires the parent to register the child at a named school. If a parent fails to comply with an SAO, they may be prosecuted and face a fine or other legal consequences. Parents have the right to present evidence of suitable education before an SAO is issued or enforced.

School Attendance Order (SAO) information leaflet - Advice for parents/carers
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Reporting a child missing education (CME)

If you think a child may be missing education, please let us know:

If you are unable to access the online portal, this CME Reporting Template form can be completed and emailed to cme@suffolk.gov.uk.

Please be advised that the CME team will always investigate your concerns, take the appropriate action and if necessary, share the relevant information with the appropriate Suffolk County Council Team(s) or professional(s). However, please note that it is not possible to provide you with any updates or further information.

If you have a concern regarding a child, who you believe is missing education and would like to discuss this with the team, please email cme@suffolk.gov.uk in the first instance or telephone the CME General No. 01473 265224. The CME team aim to return your call the next working day.

If you have a safeguarding concern regarding a child you can:

Refer online via the Child Safeguarding Portal.

Call 0808 800 4005 - Open 8am to 5:20pm (Monday – Thursday) and 8am – 4:20pm (Friday). Calls are free from landlines and most mobiles.

Outside of these hours, this number will divert to the Emergency Duty Service. They can respond to any matters that cannot wait until the next working day.

If an emergency, please call the police on 999.

Children missing education

When is a child recorded as a 'child missing education'?

Reasons why a child may be missing from education

What is a Notice to Satisfy?

What is a School Attendance Order (SAO)?

Reporting a child missing education (CME)

If you have a safeguarding concern regarding a child you can: