Local authorities in England have no idea what has happened to over 10,000 children who have left state education.
A new report from the Children’s Commissioner has revealed that 10,181 children who left state education between Spring 2021/22 and Spring 2022/23 are unknown to the local authority.
The data also shows 13,120 further children left the state education system for home education, and 2,868 became a child known or suspected to be missing education completely.
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: ‘I am deeply concerned to see just how many children are falling through the cracks after leaving the state-funded education system. While the reasons for leaving school may vary, my report highlights that thousands of children are simply unknown to local authorities.’
Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Children and Young People Board, said: ‘Good attendance at school is vital for children’s development, but councils lack the powers to ensure children who are missing school don’t slip through the net.
‘The LGA is calling for a register of children not in school, accompanied by powers for councils to check children are receiving a suitable education.’
