Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Permanent Exclusions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children of school age who have been permanently excluded from school are without schooling.

Answer: Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide suitable full-time education from the sixth school day of a permanent exclusion. A recent Ofsted report commissioned by DCSF found eight of 18 local authorities surveyed did not fully comply with the legal requirements. We accept Ofsted's recommendations and will work with them and with the National Strategies to provide support and challenge in improving access to alternative provision.

Secondary information