A Child Missing from Education (CME) is defined by the Department for Education (DfE) as "a child of compulsory school age who is not on a school roll, nor being educated otherwise (e.g., privately or in alternative provision) and who has been out of any educational provision for a substantial period of time (usually four weeks or more)." 

If a child is registered at a school and not attending this is an absence matter, please see the child attendance webpage, if you are a school and are concerned about a student on your roll who may be missing, please discuss with your SPOC (single point of contact) or complete the referral form for legal investigation or the ITOR (intention to off roll) form and select ‘missing’ as the reason.

The CME officer works to support children, young people, and their families to ensure that all children are able to access appropriate education. The CME officer can provide advice and guidance to parents regarding options for education, whilst the officer can provide information and legal requirements, they are unable to recommend schools or alternative provisions.

If a child is identified in Bromley as not accessing suitable education or missing, the CME officer will work to identify the child’s whereabouts and ensure appropriate support or referrals are made. If the local authority is unable to be satisfied that a suitable education is being provided to the child, then a School Attendance Order may be issued

How to notify us

At Bromley we are committed to ensuring that all children receive their statutory education entitlement, if you have concerns that a child may be missing education, please complete the missing education referral form or contact the Education Welfare Service.

What happens next

On notification, the allocated officer will undertake all relevant enquiries; and contact the family and young person in order to support them to reengage with education.

If at any time you have a reasonable concern that a child or young person has suffered significant harm or may be at immediate or acute risk of suffering significant harm, please contact children's social care.

Our policy and procedure

For further information please read the Bromley children missing education policy and procedures document on the Bromley Education Matters website.

Education welfare service