Contact:
  • Simon Ratcliff - Children Missing Education Service Manager
  • Address:
    PO Box 25 Riverside Temple Street Keynsham BS31 1DN
  • E-mail:
    CMES@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225 394241
  • Fax:
    01225 394296
  • Minicom:
    n/a
  • Page Updated:
    16/05/2008
  • Author:
    Simon Ratcliff
A to Z Index

The Children Missing Education Service

What does the Children Missing Education Service (CMES) do?

The CMES works with children, young people and their families to help them make the most of the educational opportunities available to them.Most of our work comes via referrals from teachers when they are concerned that children and young people need additional support to achieve at school.

Sometimes other agencies may refer to us if they are aware that children and young people need support with educational issues.

Parents and young people can contact us themselves if they are having difficulties and need any advice or support on how to resolve them.

When we work with you, we will:

  • tell you why you have been referred.
  • listen to you.
  • work with you in an open, honest and respectful way.
  • support you in your contact with school.
  • include you when we review your case.
  • inform you of decisions we make about the type of support we can offer.

We will try to plan our work to meet your individual needs. Ways in which we may work with you include:

  • home visits
  • individual work with children and young people
  • group work
  • encouraging positive parenting
  • liaison with other agencies.

In most cases we are able to work with you and the school to find solutions to the difficulties.

Sometimes, we may take legal action if children are not attending school. We will let you know if we decide that this is necessary. We will provide you with information about the law on school attendance and how the legal process will apply to you.

Information and Confidentiality

We will need some information about you to help us plan the best way of supporting you. The school will be able to give us information about:

  • who you are and where you live.
  • details of attendance and behaviour concerns.
  • any work the school has already done on your case.

Once we are working with you, any information you give us will be treated confidentially and will generally only be used by those involved in working with your case.

We will talk to you before information is shared to ensure that we are acting with your consent.

There are times when we may need to share your information without your consent, for example:

  • where there is a risk of harm or abuse to you or other people.
  • where there is a legal requirement.

If at any time you are not happy or do not understand what is happening, we hope that you will feel able to say so to the Children Missing Education Officer.