EHE and CME Briefing – February 2025

A simple graphic featuring the Devon SCP logo and the words EHE and CME update

The following is an update on Elective Home Education (EHE) and Children Missing Education (CME) in Devon.

Elective Home Education

There has been a year-on-year increase in Elective Home Education in Devon since 2019. The Devon EHE figures as of 8 January 2025 are:

  • Current number of registered EHE children – 2,817 (551 Year 11)
  • Number of new cases – 648 (166 Year 10 and 11)
  • Current number of EHE children with EHCP – 239
  • Number of new cases with EHCP – 61
  • Number of children returned to school – 296 
  • Current number CP plan – 6
  • Current number CIN – 28
  • Current number open to Early Help – 85

The below figures represent all children and young people who were EHE at some point during the academic year:

Academic Year Number of registered EHE children % of total school population
2019/20 1,907 2.1
2020/21 2,389 2.6
2021/22 2,502 2.7
2022/23 2,951 3.1
2023/24 3,515 3.8

Safeguarding and Elective Home Education

One of Devon County Council’s priorities regarding EHE is to take positive and quick action where there are safeguarding concerns or EHE is deemed ineffective, working proactively and closely with other agencies and partners.

Devon County Council’s EHE Policy can be found on the support for schools and setting pages.

 

Children Missing Education

The Devon CME figures as of 8 January 2025 are:

  • Number CME case – 214
  • Number with EHCP – 46
  • Number awaiting school place – 58
  • Number CLA – 3 
  • Number CP plan – 4
  • Current number CIN – 7
  • Current number CIN episode – 5

Safeguarding and Children Missing Education

If a child who is open to Children’s Social Care goes missing from education the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the school should notify the child’s allocated Social Worker without delay.

If the case is not open to Children’s Social Care and a professional has a concern about the risk of harm to the child, a referral should be made to the Front Door as per Devon’s safeguarding and child protection procedures.

Devon County Council’s CME Policy can be found on the support for schools and setting pages.

 

Useful contacts and resources


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