Information and resources for schools

Legal options for irregular attendance and S9 witness statement training

Any future planned training will be advertised here, and also in the WCF Education and  Early Help bulletins that are distributed to attendance leads in schools.

In the meantime, if you have a query relating to the legal work for irregular attendance, please contact the Education Welfare Service: 01905 846760.

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to identify and support all Children Missing Education.

The government defines CME as:

Children of compulsory school age who are not registered pupils at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise than at a school.

CME does not include:

• children who are registered at an educational provision who are not attending regularly
• children who are receiving alternative provision
• children who are being Electively Home Educated (EHE)

Should you have any concerns regarding a Child Missing Education (CME) who you believe is not registered on a school roll or is in receipt of any education otherwise please inform the CME team: cme@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

Important Information for parents

If you are a parent or carer seeking a school place for your child in Worcestershire see School Admissions or contact the school admissions team on 01905 844111.

Important Information for schools

In line with CME statutory guidance (2016) all schools (including independent and free schools) are required to notify the Local Authority of all children placed on a school roll as well as when they are removed.

‘Joiners’ and leavers’ protocols are in place and are managed by the CME Lead Officer.

For any schools requiring further information please email: cme@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk

For the latest Statutory guidance visit: Children missing education GOV.UK

Downloads

• Deleting pupils from registers regulations (PDF)
• Children Missing Education Policy (PDF)

Why are personal safety and lone worker considerations so important?

• your personal safety and well-being is paramount
• your employer has duties and responsibilities, as do you
• consideration of these will enable you to work as safely and effectively as you can to achieve the desired outcomes

What is personal safety planning?

• each organisation will define personal slightly differently
• whatever is accepted by your organisation, the chosen definition and reasons for it should be made clear in your personal safety policy
• consideration to personal safety in the workplace will enable you and your employer to share the expectations of how to work as safely as possible within your role
• should any incidents occur appropriate training and support should enable you to deal with these in an agreed manner
• safety planning will ensure you are aware of any incidents that may need to be reported, to whom, how and when 

The Law

Personal safety at work is covered by several laws. The responsibility is shared by employee and employer.

Examples include:

• The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employers have a duty to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees and that every organisation with five or more employees is required to have a written Health and Safety Policy
• The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (updated 1999) requires every organisation in the UK to proactively control risk

Organisations must assess risk, create safe systems of work, communicate to their employees and review their systems on a regular basis.

Making Visits to Home Addresses

If your role requires you to make home visits in order to discuss school attendance matters with pupils, parents/carers within the pupils home address, the following bullet points are useful good practice considerations.

Any expectations in addition to these and as directed by your employers must also be upheld:

Attendance home visits should:

• ideally be pre-arranged with the parents/carer wherever possible
• start with appropriate introductions (you should carry identification) and an explanation of the purpose of the visit
• be undertaken using the most appropriate and polite language
• be non-judgemental
• treat the home with due respect, e.g. ask permission to enter or sit
• take full consideration of personal safety
• ensure parents/carers and pupil voice is heard to support with addressing any barriers to attendance.
• be purposeful, leaving the home with an agreed plan of action, and plan for review
• empower parents/carers to find ways to address irregular school attendance and identify and support required

Circumstances can change and visiting a private home one-day can appear perfectly safe, visiting another day may be very different. Therefore, all staff must remain constantly vigilant and follow some basic precautionary procedures when visiting private homes.

It is beneficial for employers requiring their employees to conduct home visits to offer the most appropriate lone worker and personal safety training as well as any other role specific training (eg conflict resolution) as deemed appropriate for each role.  

Prior to making a home visit:

• use all available information to inform yourself of the case
• complete an individual risk assessment, particularly for initial visits
• for potentially high-risk home-visits plan to ensure a joint visit, or alternatively consider if a meeting could be arranged in a neutral and safe location
• ensure that you have your mobile phone, it is fully charged, has a signal, is on
• ensure someone knows where and when you are due to be visiting and for how long
• have agreed out of hours procedures and follow up strategies for all home visits
• have agreed phrases that are understood should you need to make a call from a clients house where you are checking in as ok/needing to leave 
• ensure that you have adequate travel arrangements to and from the visit.
• ensure all your relevant details are stored on a central system (personal, work mobile, car registration and home contact)
• ensure that you have agreed with your employer a method check in and out requirements and safe and well checking

Before entering the property

• ensure you dress appropriately, including sensible shoes
• ensure that you have adequate phone signal
• park your car accordingly, in a well-lit area, preferably facing out
• try not to burden yourself with cumbersome bags and baggage
• introduce yourself, explain the intention of your visit and display your ID
• consider any findings that present - If you are uneasy (regarding the client, the presenting situation or environment, animals etc.) do not enter
• you will need to discuss with your line manager the most appropriate action
• this may involve arranging another visit accompanied by a colleague, or at another venue or something else
• consider your employers rules regarding entering a home when a pupil is alone
• if you feel that the pupil is at risk, e.g., too young to be left alone, seek advice from your line manager, social care or the police as most appropriate
• if unconnected parties are present when calling, offer to visit when the relevant person or people are next available
• if neighbours or other family members are present, check with the relevant person that it is ok for you to continue the conversation in company

Once within a property

• put your client at ease this enables problems to be discussed openly and truthfully
• listen carefully
• stay alert
• avoid aggressive body language
• avoid being drawn into an argument, stay calm, speak slowly, gently and clearly
• try to remain close to or be aware of your nearest safe exit in case of an emergency
• make or take an agreed call if you have agreed a ‘check in’ tactic to leave
• do not pretend to have knowledge of a subject that you know little or nothing about
• if asked questions that you don’t have an accurate or reliable answer for, offer to make enquiries to obtain the correct answer or refer to a person/agency with specialist knowledge
• be prepared and practised for your planned response should you feel you may wish to leave a property or situation
• keep a distance if there is aggression
• do not turn your back or put your hand on anyone showing aggression
• if the situation is making you feel uncomfortable then leave

Following a home visit:

• show respect for people and property.
• leave premises as found when entered close gates behind you etc
• follow your agreed procedures to inform the appropriate person when you are out of the property and safe and well
• ensure you log all details of the visit using any systems or methods as your employer requires
• utilise de briefing sessions and book regular supervision sessions to ensure you receive appropriate support, opportunities for reflection and learning
• report any incidents or concerns to your line manager and adhere to any required reporting mechanisms if the visit has raised any concerns that may require further escalation

Useful Links

• Personal Safety at work from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust
• Safety when making home visits from the Institue of Welfare
• Protecting lone workers from the HSE