Children Missing from Education (CME)

Children missing education (CME) are those who are not registered at a school and are not receiving suitable education elsewhere. This page explains what CME means, why it matters, and how we work with families and professionals to ensure every child gets the education they need.

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are more likely to miss out on education.

Children may be missing from education:

  • if they are not registered at a school, or
  • when the education cannot be identified by the Local Authority

This may happen if you have taken your child out of school and have not successfully moved to your next school or setting.

This might be because:

  • you have not registered your child’s education with the Local Authority.
  • you have registered your child at a school, but they have not started yet.
  • your child has not successfully moved between schools or education settings.
  • your child might be out of any educational setting for a while and is not receiving a suitable education.

If you know of a child living in Westmorland and Furness who you believe may be missing from education, please email:

cme@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

You do not have to give your name and all responses are treated confidentially.