Children of school age (5-16) must be in education, either in a school or in elective home education.

Our Children Missing from Education (CME) Officers offer advice and support to families about the availability of school places, working alongside colleagues in admissions.

They can help to secure school places for children new to Barnet or those whose parents have rejected offers made to them from the Admissions Team.

These officers work within a legal framework to safeguard a child’s right to education. Parents can be issued with notices requiring them to prove they are educating their child, and advising them of a school place the Local Authority has allocated.

School Attendance Order (SAO)

A School Attendance Order is the final stage in requiring parents to ensure their child is in education.  An SAO names a school for the child and the parents have to comply or be subject to prosecution.

Once in place, an SAO is valid for the remainder of the child’s education.

A School Attendance Order is issued by the Education Welfare Team to enforce enrolment in a school where a parent refuses to place a child in school.  This process is managed by the Children Missing from Education Officers.

 

Contacts

Children Missing from Education Officer
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale
NW9 4EW

Tel: 020 8359 7746/7892