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On 10 December 2004, the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) published a report (Out of School: A survey of the educational support and provision for pupils not in school), which concludes that the targeting, monitoring and quality of provision for these children, their low attainment, and the tracking of their progress are all inadequate. Poor support for children not in school is compounding the disadvantages they face through social exclusion. But local Children's Fund partnerships continue to work effectively to combat social exclusion
In the ten authorities surveyed, too many children are still in danger of being lost to the system, becoming disaffected and underachieving. However, there are pockets of exemplary practice and examples are referenced throughout the report as a guide to improvement. Liaison between services is particularly well developed in relation to looked after children, and young people attending some alternative centres of education for reasons of disaffection or exclusion are positive about the support they receive. There are some excellent examples of child employment monitoring, and truancy sweeps, coupled with fast track prosecution, are having a significant impact in some areas.
Inspectors concluded that there needs to be better sharing of information; improved integration of planning, delivery and service expectation; clearer accountability and targeting, and better evaluation and dissemination of good practice.
The report can be viewed on the Ofsted website