School attendance and absence

This guide is for parents of children who live in Essex. Here you'll find information on schools attendance and absence, and who to contact if you have questions

Our teams and who to contact

We have several teams who deal with a variety of issues relating to children and young people's attendance or absence from school.

We're always on hand to answer any questions you may have.  

Choose from the following options to contact us.

Contact us

Support with education for pupils unable to attend school due to illness, exclusion, or other exceptional circumstances

The Education Access Team is responsible for arranging suitable education for pupils who are unable to attend school.

We commission support for the following:

  • pupils who have been permanently excluded from school
  • where illness prevents attendance at school
  • where pregnancy prevents attendance at school
  • pupils unable to attend school due to emotionally based school avoidance
  • pupils who are not in school due to other exceptional circumstances

Removing a child from a mainstream school and placing them on an alternative education package is a significant decision. 

We carefully consider all evidence to make sure the decision is made in the best interests of the child. 

How to contact us

For queries, advice or support about:

Exclusions  - email: exclusions@essex.gov.uk

Suspensions - email: suspensions@essex.gov.uk

Medical referrals - email: medical@essex.gov.uk 

Reduced provision - email: provision@essex.gov.uk​

Reduced timetables - email: provision@essex.gov.uk 

 

Telephone:  03330 322534

Opening hours:  Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Friday,  9am to 4.30pm

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

The SEND Operations Team ensures we carry out responsibilities that are set by the government on behalf of Essex children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We can help you with the Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment process and maintenance of EHC plans (EHCP) for children and young people, including:

  • administration of the 20 week statutory EHC needs assessment process
  • annual reviews of EHCPs
  • arranging of provision and placements

Our Inclusion Partners and Engagement Facilitators can help:

  • support settings, schools and families to put One Plans and EHCP provisions in place
  • support transitions for children and young people with EHCPs
  • build on links between settings, schools, families, social care and health services during the EHCP process

How to contact us

Mid Essex (Braintree, Chelmsford, Halstead and Maldon)

Telephone: 0333 013 9949

Email: SENDOperations.Mid@essex.gov.uk

North East Essex (Colchester and Tendring)

Telephone: 0333 013 7667

Email: SENDOperations.NE@essex.gov.uk

South Essex (Basildon, Billericay, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Wickford)

Telephone: 0333 013 4736 

Email: sendoperations.south@essex.gov.uk 

West Essex (Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford)

Telephone: 0333 013 9911 

Email: SENDOperations.West@essex.gov.uk

Opening hours:  Monday to Thursday,  9am to 5pm, Friday, 9am to 4.30pm

 
 

Support for children who do not have a school place or are not receiving education

Children missing from education are children of compulsory school age:

  • who do not have a school place
  • whose parents have not applied for a school place
  • who are not receiving a suitable education in any other way

Children are not missing from education if they:

  • have a school place but aren’t attending regularly
  • are being educated at home

Let us know if you think a child is missing from education. You can stay anonymous and we will carry out checks before contacting the parents or carers. 

How to contact us

Telephone:  03330 322 962
 
Opening hours:  Monday to Thursday,  9am - 5pm, Friday,  9am - 4:30pm

Ensuring ECC's statutory responsibilities are fulfilled, for example penalty notices and prosecutions

The Attendance Compliance Team ensures that our statutory responsibilities in respect of school attendance are consistently fulfilled. These include the issuing of penalty notices in line with the published Essex Code of Conduct and also the instigation of prosecutions under section 444 Education Act 1996, when appropriate. 

How to contact us

Telephone: 03330 322 988

Email: attendancecompliance@essex.gov.uk

Opening hours:  Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, Friday, 9am to 4.30pm

For all other queries about school attendance and absence

In the first instance, you should speak to your child's school if you have any concerns.  Working together you should be able to resolve any issues.

Failing this, you should follow the individual school's escalation or complaints process if necessary.

How to contact us

If you have read through this guidance and not found an answer to your query or a team that can support you, feel free to call our contact centre on:

Telephone: 0345 603 2200

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday,  9am - 5pm, Friday,  9am - 4:30pm