Dramatic increase in number of children are missing from school in Essex
Risks for mental health, development and child well-being
The number of children ‘missing from school’ in Essex since the Covid-19 pandemic began is almost double compared to three years ago.
Figures from Essex County Council (ECC) show that since the beginning of the school year 2020/2021, there were 1,444 children missing from education. In 2017/2018 there were 869.
Children slip through the cracks of policies around student registration, attendance, admissions, exclusions and non-school education, according to the Local Government Association (LGA). But where do they go?
During the pandemic, some parents discovered that their offspring was happier or learning faster when home-schooled. But blaming Covid-19 alone for the surge in people taking their children out of mainstream schooling means over-simplifying an array of complex problems.
Some parents choose to educate their children at home because of bullying, exam anxiety, or as a last resort if the school fails to provide sufficient support to children with special needs. Others send their children to unregistered or illegal schools that often have a strong religious agenda.
A third group wants to avoid council action, including fines for their child’s non-attendance or if the school raised concerns with children’s services about the wellbeing of a child.
The LGA says pupils with social, behavioural, medical of mental health needs are most at risk of being reported as missing from school.
This is likely to impact children’s mental health, emotional wellbeing, and social development. It also increases the danger of domestic abuse, grooming and criminal exploitation. In the long term, young people outside the school system tend to have a slower learning progress and poorer job prospects.
Essex County Council has announced it will invest £1 million in reading over the next 18 months. This is to support children and young people affected by the loss of learning and missed opportunities during the pandemic.
In addition, a task force plans to invest £500,000 into mental health and emotional wellbeing support.
Councillor Tony Ball, ECC’s cabinet member for education excellence, skills and training, said:
“Investing £1 million to improve and promote reading from early years through to schools and into further education, demonstrates the level of our commitment to children and young people across Essex.”
However, the deeper problems of child neglect and abuse remain.