Vulnerable children continue to attend schools across Peterborough to keep them safe

Education Children Social Care and Health services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been working together tirelessly with schools to ensure those children who are deemed vulnerable are able to attend a school when this is in their best interests – with attendance across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire higher than the national average.

This week, England’s Child Commissioner, Anne Longfield said the national picture was worrying, with data showing only around 5% of children deemed vulnerable were actually attending schools – meaning they are ‘at home, potentially with a cocktail of risks.’ She went on to say; “So often these children are quite invisible at home and not in the place which is best at keeping them safe - school.”

Schools and other services have worked with parents to ensure attendance and schools have kept their doors open. Around 10% more schools than the national average have been open including nearly 50% of schools open on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Our proportion of vulnerable children attending during this time was around 12% higher than the national reported position.

However, engagement with families continues, in a push to make sure those who should be attending school have a place available for them.

Jonathan Lewis, Director of Education for Cambridgeshire County and Peterborough City Councils, said: “Staying at home and being safe remains the key narrative but at this difficult time for families and for our staff, I really want to give a clear message that our schools remain open for those who need us most. School leaders were preparing for this situation before the lockdown began and while there’s no denying we are in unprecedented times, our forward planning has helped ensure schools now have robust procedures in place and are able and willing to support those children deemed vulnerable. Many of our schools are working together and supporting each other to make this happen. I want to thank headteachers and their staff for doing all they can to support their communities.”

Lou Williams, Director of Childrens Services and Safeguarding for Cambridgeshire County and Peterborough City Council’s added: “Our number one priority has always been to protect the wellbeing of all our children and to offer them an environment in which they are supported, free from risk and able to thrive. I know my team have been working extremely hard and continue to work with those parents of children who are deemed vulnerable, including school attendance when this is in the best interests of the children concerned.”