The recent report by the children’s commissioner found that there is little knowledge about children who are not enrolled in state schools, including how many are missing out on their entitlement to formal, full-time education (No one knows how many children in England, says children’s commissioner, 9 March).
Our research using anonymised data on 1 million children in English state schools found that non-enrolment particularly affects the most vulnerable children: those who are in care or supported by children’s social care services.
One in 10 children who had been in care at any time between the ages of eight and 14 became unenrolled from state school during the GCSE years between 14 and 16 years old. For those who ever received any help from social care, one in 15 were not enrolled. This compares with one in 40 children who were never involved with social care services aged eight to 14. The rates of non-enrolment were even higher for those who had ever received help for special educational needs as well as social care support. In other words, the very children who have been recognised by social care services and schools as being most in need of help are the most likely to fall through the safety net and miss out on education.
Much more needs to be done to retain all children inclusively in education, including ensuring that schools have the resources to meet the often complex needs of the vulnerable children they care for.
Matthew A Jay
Louise Mc Grath-Lone
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health