Everyone has the right to live, learn and work in safety, free from abuse, harm and neglect

Safeguarding Central

Education Neglect & the ‘Ghost Children’ Crisis

When Children Disappear

Tens of thousands of children are persistently absent from school or missing entirely from education. Some are struggling with anxiety, poverty, or family breakdowns—others are at risk of exploitation or neglect.

What You Can Do:

  • Challenge the normalisation of poor attendance.

  • Work across services to locate and re-engage “ghost” pupils.

  • Provide flexible, trauma-informed pathways back into learning.