Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether conduct by a parent preventing a child from attending an inspected state or independent school for religious or other reasons is a factor taken into account in determining whether a child is at risk; if so, what other criteria are applied to decisions in those circumstances; and what guidance they have issued to local authorities regarding this matter.

Wherever local councils have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, they are under a duty to investigate. While a parent preventing a child from attending school for the reasons outlined is not in itself evidence of a child being at risk, local councils may assess whether, when linked to a number of other factors, it may contribute to a decision that the child is at risk. The statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015) sets out the principles and parameters of a good assessment, which should take account of the impact and influence of family and environmental factors.

Under the Children Act 1989, local councils have a responsibility to provide services for the purposes of safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. It is important that every local council has clear criteria for taking action and providing help across the full continuum of need.

In September 2016 we published updated statutory guidance on ‘Children Missing Education’ and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. The new guidance reinforces the roles and responsibilities of schools and local councils when it comes to working together to prevent children missing education. Children missing education are at significant risk of underachieving, being victims of harm, exploitation or radicalisation, and becoming not in education, employment or training later in life.

This risk will not apply to all children withdrawn from school and educated at home, as those receiving good home education would not be “missing” education.