Recent figures have revealed that more than 900 children in Lancashire are currently not receiving a suitable education. Lancashire County Council confirmed that, as of December 2024, 914 children were missing from education, excluding those who are home-schooled or in the Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen areas.
The council has assured the public that most of these children are already within the admissions system and efforts are ongoing to place them in schools. However, the situation has raised concerns about safeguarding and the broader implications of educational gaps in the region.
The Scale of the Problem
The report from Lancashire County Council highlighted that many of the affected children have only recently arrived in the county, with some even being new to the UK. The council has identified Preston, Burnley, and Pendle as hotspots where new-to-area families are particularly concentrated.
Jacqui Old, the executive director of education and children’s services, noted that targeted support is being provided in these areas to help parents navigate the school admissions process, lodge appeals if necessary, and access additional services.
“[Support] is now well established and providing invaluable assistance to parents with school applications, appeals, and signposting to other services.” – Jacqui Old
Challenges in School Admissions
The council acknowledged that delays in securing school placements are often due to high demand in certain areas. Efforts are ongoing to increase school capacity, particularly in regions experiencing a population surge.
Cabinet member for education and skills, Jayne Rear, explained that Lancashire is not an outlier compared to other regions facing similar challenges. She pointed out that the children missing from education represent only 0.1% of the county’s school-age population.
Despite these reassurances, some councillors have expressed concerns about the implications of these figures. Labour’s deputy opposition leader, Jennifer Mein, described the situation as “really worrying”, especially in light of ongoing safeguarding concerns.
“In the current climate, where there [are] concerns about safeguarding and Prevent…it makes it even more important that we can account for all of the children in this county.” – Jennifer Mein
Safeguarding Concerns and the Role of Prevent
The issue of missing children has gained additional urgency following recent events linked to the government’s Prevent programme, which aims to identify individuals at risk of radicalisation. The programme was recently scrutinized after the Southport killer, Axel Rudakabana, was referred to Prevent three times before committing a tragic crime.
Cllr Mein stressed the need to locate all children promptly, particularly as schools play a vital role in monitoring well-being and identifying potential safeguarding risks.
Council’s Response and Future Actions
The council’s missing-in-education team has been dealing with a large number of cases since the start of the academic year. Jayne Rear admitted that while it might take time to see significant reductions in the number of children out of school, most children are already in the admissions system, with parents actively participating in the registration process.
She added that family hubs are supporting new families, particularly those unfamiliar with the UK education system.
Recent Steps Taken
- 30 additional school places have been negotiated for in-year admissions at three secondary schools in Preston:
- Ashton High School
- Fulwood Academy
- Longridge High School
These efforts are part of the council’s broader plan to reduce the number of children missing from education to below 700 in the coming months.
Community Concerns and Expert Opinions
Local education advocates have raised concerns about the potential long-term impact of educational disruption on children. Missing out on school not only affects academic performance but also limits social development and increases vulnerability to external risks.
Education experts stress the importance of early intervention and community engagement to address this issue. Collaborations between schools, local authorities, and family support services are essential to ensure that children are not left behind.
Lancashire County Council faces a complex challenge as it works to bring hundreds of children back into the education system. While progress is being made, the situation requires continued attention and resources to meet the growing demand for school places, particularly in areas with significant population growth.
The council remains optimistic that, with community support and ongoing efforts, the number of children missing from education will soon decrease, ensuring that every child in Lancashire receives the learning opportunities they deserve.
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