New measures to support disadvantaged children in schools

The schools’ admission code will be changed so that the most vulnerable children can access a school place more quickly

New plans have been set out by the education secretary to prevent the most vulnerable children missing out on school, raising visibility of those who have needed a social worker.

The schools’ admission code will be changed so that the most vulnerable children, such as those fleeing domestic abuse, can access a school place more quickly, Education Secretary Damian Hinds has announced.

According to new analysis, every classroom has three children who have come into contact with a social worker and 1.6 million children need a social worker at some point in the last three years.

These children suffer further as they often miss out on education, being three times more likely to be persistently absent from school and four times more likely to be permanently excluded.

In a speech at Reform, the Education Secretary outlined the changing nature of disadvantage and a package of measures to support the most vulnerable in society, including new research on how to tackle persistent absence from school and exploring the expansion of advocates within education so that all children in need of a social worker, and not just those in care, are given the support they need.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “We understand children in care have very poor outcomes. The outcomes for children in need of a social worker are almost as bad but there are five times as many of them.

“We also know the effects of this sustain. Overall if you’ve needed contact with a social worker at any time since year 5, on average you are going to score 20 grades lower across eight GCSEs.

“We need to improve the visibility of this group, both in schools and in the system as a whole. We need to make sure in every case that information is passed on to a social worker when a child moves school.”

Included within the package of measures announced are:

• changes to the School Admissions Code and improving the speed of the in-year admissions process so vulnerable children can access a school place as quickly as possible
• making sure mental health difficulties of children with social workers is tackled by ensuring both initial teacher training and the social work standards equip professionals with the right knowledge and skills on mental health
• better sharing of information between councils and schools, including making sure social workers are informed when a child they support is excluded from school, and closer working between schools and councils to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils
• working across government to tackle the causes of disadvantage, including on domestic abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health, serious violence, and exploitation
• making sure disadvantaged children are in education, tackling off-rolling, absence and exclusions

While the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers has narrowed by at least 9.5% since 2011, disadvantage continues to lead to poorer outcomes.

The Education Secretary has said this 'needs to be confronted head on'.

Responding to the new plans, Councillor Kieran Heakin, Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We welcome any changes and initiatives that support and improve the life chances of our most vulnerable young people.”