The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met on 25 February 2026 to discuss school attendance, children not in school, and school place planning. Key decisions included a commitment to further investigate district-level variations in school attendance and to explore strategies for addressing surplus school places across Lancashire.

School Attendance

The committee received a report detailing current school attendance figures across Lancashire, highlighting that while overall attendance remains above the national average, there are significant variations between primary and secondary schools, and across different districts. Primary attendance is consistently stronger, with secondary attendance facing challenges due to factors such as adolescent mental health, SEND complexities, and post-pandemic disengagement.

Specific concerns were raised about districts like Lancaster and Ribble Valley, where secondary attendance drops significantly compared to primary. Conversely, Preston and Chorley were noted for their strong secondary attendance rates. The report detailed ongoing work with the Department for Education (DfE) to improve attendance, including targeted support for schools, which has shown positive results. A new attendance toolkit has been launched to provide schools with resources and guidance on a support first approach.

Discussions also touched upon penalty notices and prosecutions for term-time holidays, with it being clarified that schools decide on issuing these notices, and the council acts as the issuing body. The revenue generated from these notices is retained by the council to fund attendance and Children Missing Education (CME) staff. Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, emphasised the importance of consistent education for children and acknowledged that while prosecutions are a last resort, they are a necessary part of the mix.

The committee also explored the use of alternative provision (AP) for children struggling within the school system. It was explained that a Section 19 panel exists to help identify suitable alternative education arrangements, including tuition or AP placements, with some funding available to support these. The council is also working to improve its alternative provision list and to encourage schools to adopt more inclusive practices.

Children Not in School

The committee was presented with a report on the growing number of children not in school, encompassing Children Missing Education (CME), Elective Home Education (EHE), and Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS). Lancashire is experiencing a significant increase in EHE, with over 3,600 children registered as home-educated, and a rise in CME referrals. The report highlighted that many families opt for EHE due to SEND needs and mental health concerns, with a growing number of children returning from EHE deemed not to be receiving a suitable education.

The council is increasing its capacity in this area by doubling staff numbers and securing additional funding for oversight and preventative work. Discussions covered the challenges of ensuring suitable education for home-educated children, particularly those with EHCPs, and the limitations of current legislation in allowing the council to monitor these arrangements. The upcoming Schools Bill is expected to provide more powers to intervene and ensure children receive a suitable education.

Concerns were raised about the figure of 179 children missing education in Preston, with a request for a breakdown of reasons and the longest waiting times. The committee also discussed the reasons behind the high numbers of EHE, with a focus on mental health and unmet SEND needs. The council is working to improve its support for families, including the development of support groups and closer collaboration with Family Hubs.

School Place Planning

The committee received an update on school place planning across Lancashire, noting that the county now has a surplus of school places overall, a trend attributed to a national drop in birth rates. However, specific areas, including parts of Preston, still face capacity pressures. The council is developing a surplus place strategy to address this, which may involve federating schools or considering mixed-age classes.

The report detailed the council's forecasting methodology, which now incorporates GP registration data and housing development plans to predict future needs. The challenges of balancing local community needs with the provision of school places, particularly in light of new housing developments, were discussed. The committee heard about efforts to secure land for new schools through local plans and Section 106 agreements.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on admissions criteria and the impact of new housing on existing families, particularly regarding siblings being split between different schools. The council committed to reviewing admissions criteria, specifically for Broughton High School, to address concerns about sibling priority. The issue of school place provision in Preston was also debated, with the council outlining plans for a new primary school in the Whittingham area, while stating that current data does not justify a new secondary school.

Children, Families and Skills Work Programme 2025/26

The committee noted the work programme for the upcoming year, which includes updates on the SEND Priority Action Plan, Early Years, and the Lancashire House Project. The next meeting on 15 April 2026 will feature in-depth discussions on these topics.

SEND Improvement Programme Update

An update on the SEND Improvement Programme was provided for information, detailing milestone progress and highlighting areas that are off-track. The committee requested data on EHCP requests over the past 10 years to better analyse trends.

School Attendance

The committee discussed the current state of school attendance across Lancashire, noting that while overall figures are strong, there are significant disparities between primary and secondary schools, and across different districts. Persistent absence remains a concern, particularly in secondary education. The council is implementing targeted interventions, including a new attendance toolkit and increased staffing, to address these challenges. Penalty notices for term-time holidays were discussed, with clarification that these are issued by schools in line with DfE guidance.

Children Not in School

A significant increase in Elective Home Education (EHE) and Children Missing Education (CME) was reported. The council is increasing its capacity to support these children and families, with a focus on preventative measures and ensuring suitable education is provided. The report highlighted that many families choose EHE due to SEND needs and mental health issues.

School Place Planning

Lancashire now has a surplus of school places overall, driven by a national decline in birth rates. However, some areas, particularly in Preston, still face capacity pressures. The council is developing a strategy to manage surplus places and is working to ensure new housing developments are adequately supported by school infrastructure. Admissions policies, particularly concerning siblings, were also a key point of discussion.

Children, Families and Skills Work Programme 2025/26

The committee reviewed and noted the work programme for the upcoming year, which includes key items such as the SEND Priority Action Plan update and Early Years update.

SEND Improvement Programme January 2026 Update

An update on the SEND Improvement Programme was provided for information, with the committee requesting historical data on EHCP requests to better understand trends.

Key Decisions Made:

• The committee noted the work programme for 2025/26.
• The committee received updates on school attendance, children not in school, and school place planning.
• The committee requested further data on EHCP requests over the past 10 years.
• The committee committed to further investigation into district-level variations in school attendance and strategies for managing surplus school places.

Key Issues Discussed:

• Disparities in school attendance between primary and secondary schools, and across different districts.
• The increasing number of children being electively home-educated and the reasons behind this trend.
• The challenges of ensuring suitable education for children not attending mainstream school.
• The management of school places in light of falling birth rates and the impact of new housing developments.
• Admissions policies and the impact on families, particularly regarding siblings.
• The effectiveness of current legislation and council powers in overseeing home education.

Key People Mentioned:

• County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills
• Abbie Hardy, Head of Education Improvement
• Paula Durant, School Planning Manager
• Michelle Pye, co-chair of the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum
• Evie and Eva, Youth Council Representatives
• Councillor Joanne Ash, Chair of the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee
• Councillor Fiona Duke
• Councillor Samara Barnes
• Councillor Mackenzie Ritson
• Councillor Prof. Michael Lavalette
• Councillor Andy Blake
• Councillor Mark Wade

Key Organisations Mentioned:

• Lancashire County Council
• Department for Education (DfE)
• Ofsted
• Lancashire Parent Carer Forum
• Youth Council
• Preston City Council
• South Ribble Borough Council
• Chorley Borough Council
• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• NHS
• Education Otherwise

Key Policies and Legislation Mentioned:

• Education Act 1996
• Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006
• Children Act 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Children and Families Act 2014
• SEND Code of Practice
• Equality Act 2010
• Public Sector Equality Duty
• Schools Bill
• 1988 Education Bill
• Academies Act 2010
• School Organisation Regulations 2013
• International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)

Key Concepts:

• Persistent Absence
• Severe Absence
• Children Missing Education (CME)
• Elective Home Education (EHE)
• Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS)
• Section 19 (Education Act 1996)
• Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Pupil Premium
• Alternative Provision (AP)
• Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)
• Statutory Attendance Order (SAO)
• School Capacity Assessment (SCAP)
• Published Admissions Number (PAN)
• Section 106 agreement
• Local Plans
• NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
• Trauma-informed practice
• Inclusive practice
• Fair Access Protocols
• Bulge year
• Federation of schools
• Surplus place strategy
• Community cohesion
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
• Safeguarding
• Attainment Gap
• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• National Funding Formula
• Off-rolling