Ensuring that vulnerable children are allocated a school place (Fair Access Protocol)

The School Attendance Order (SAO) process is a statutory mechanism used by local authorities when a child of compulsory school age is not registered at a school and is not receiving suitable education otherwise than at school. Before initiating an SAO, the relevant Buckinghamshire Council team makes every effort to investigate the circumstances and work collaboratively with parents or carers. This includes encouraging families to either provide evidence that suitable education is being delivered (e.g. through Elective Home Education) or to support them in applying for a school place through the usual admissions routes.

Where these efforts are unsuccessful and no evidence that a suitable education is being provided or a school place has not been secured, the case may be referred to the Fair Access Board to identify and agree a suitable school placement for the child.

The closest school will be considered the nearest appropriate school for the child unless there are clear reasons to deem this unsuitable.

Once a school has been agreed by the Board, the local authority will formally issue a School Attendance Order naming that school. Parents or carers are then given 15 working days to comply with the Order by registering their child at the named school.