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

After each meeting, the Admissions and Transport Team will contact the relevant school/schools to confirm the Board’s decision to offer a place under the Fair Access Protocol in respect of admissions placements and then offer the place.

When a place is offered, the Admissions and Transport Team will write to inform the parents/carers. The letter offering a place will specify a start date which will usually be no later than 20 school days from the FAB meeting.

The child must be added to the school admission register in line with the agreed start date.

On the day the pupil is expected to arrive at school, the Attendance Register should be marked in the normal way. If a pupil fails to appear and no explanation is provided, then an "N" should be used. This is only a temporary code and, therefore, should only be used until the reason for absence is confirmed by the parent/carer. If no reason is given by the child’s parent/carer, the code should be changed to an unauthorised absence.