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  • Children out of school
  1. Get information and support
  2. Free legal guides and template letters
  3. Exclusions, sanctions and restrictive intervention
  4. Children out of school

Children out of school

Children who do not have a school place

Children who do not have a school place

At the start of a new school year, far too many children with SEND are without a school to attend. Read more

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 19th February, 2026

Author: Robert Chapman

Illness

Illness

Some children are not able to attend school due to illness. Learn more here Read more

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 8th April, 2026

Author: Robert Chapman

School anxiety

School anxiety

We regularly advise and support families whose school-aged children are unable to access education because of anxiety or similar difficulties – very often associated with the child’s SEN. This was previously called ‘school refusal’ but is also more accurately called emotionally-based school avoidance or school anxiety. Read more

Published: 29th November, 2019

Updated: 8th April, 2026

Author: Robert Chapman

Alternative education for children who cannot attend school

Alternative education for children who cannot attend school

On this page we explain what happens if your child is of compulsory school age, cannot attend school and is without a suitable, full-time education Read more

Published: 8th April, 2019

Updated: 17th April, 2026

Author: Holly Johnson

Children out of school FAQs

Children out of school FAQs

Frequently asked questions for children out of school Read more

Published: 19th June, 2018

Updated: 19th June, 2026

Author: Holly Johnson

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Latest

  • SEND Tribunal hints and tips (2): 7 October

    SEND Tribunal hints and tips (2): 7 October

    This training is suitable for parents and carers currently going through an appeal against the contents of an EHC plan or an appeal against the school named in a plan

  • Reforming SEND without removing rights

    Reforming SEND without removing rights

    Hear from our Policy Manager, Catriona Moore, about why protecting children’s rights must remain central to decisions about SEND reform

  • Campaigners gather across the country to protect children and young people's legal rights

    Campaigners gather across the country to protect children and young people's legal rights

    Alongside our partners in the Save Our Children’s Rights campaign and thousands of families across the country, IPSEA took part in a large national demonstration calling for children and young people’s legal rights to be protected and strengthened.

  • Stories behind the stats: what can we learn from them?

    Stories behind the stats: what can we learn from them?

    The Department for Education (DfE) has published the latest round of statistics for all things related to EHC plans. They can tell us a lot, about the direction SEND reform may take us in and the stories that sit behind every statistic.

Most read

  • Asking for an EHC needs assessment

    Asking for an EHC needs assessment

  • Template letters

    Template letters

    Download and make changes to our template letters to fit your situation

  • Template letter 1: making a request for an EHC needs assessment

    Template letter 1: making a request for an EHC needs assessment

  • EHC needs assessments

    EHC needs assessments

    An EHC needs assessment is an assessment of a child or young person’s education, health and care needs

  • Advice Line

    Advice Line

    Book an appointment for free and independent next-step legal information, advice and support on any educational issue that is a result of a child or young person’s SEND

  • What happens in an EHC needs assessment

    What happens in an EHC needs assessment

  • Choosing a school/college with an EHC plan

    Choosing a school/college with an EHC plan

  • The annual review process

    The annual review process

  • Contact us

    Contact us

  • Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    Appealing to the SEND Tribunal

    The SEND Tribunal is an independent national tribunal which hears parents’ and young people’s appeals against LA decisions about the special educational needs of children and young people

How you can help IPSEA

How you can help IPSEA

Have you found the information on our website helpful today? If so, please consider donating! At IPSEA, we rely on your donations and fundraising efforts to help keep our vital services running. Read more

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Published: 19th March, 2014

Updated: 12th May, 2026

Author:

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IPSEA is registered charity number 327691
Limited company 02198066

Registered office: IPSEA, 2A Stansted Courtyard, Parsonage Road, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 6PU

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