15 day sickness absence

Schools are legally required to notify the local authority where pupils are coded I (illness) and who the school has reasonable grounds to believe will miss 15 days consecutively or cumulatively because of sickness.

Only one sickness return is required for a continuous period of sickness in a school year. This is to help the school and local authority to agree any provision needed to ensure continuity of education for pupils who cannot attend because of health needs, in line with the statutory guidance on arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs.

In cases of both long term physical or mental ill health, school staff are not expected to diagnose or treat physical or mental health conditions, but they are expected to work together with families and other agencies with the aim of ensuring regular attendance for every pupil.

Medical evidence for recording absences should only be needed in a minority of cases (see Code I)

Where a pupil’s health need means they need reasonable adjustments or support because it is complex or long term, schools can seek medical evidence to better understand the needs of the pupil and identify the most suitable provision in line with the statutory guidance in supporting pupils at school with medical conditions:

Gov.UK: Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions

Or arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs:

Gov.UK: Education for children with health needs who cannot attend school 

The Local Authority has designed a form to assist schools to comply with their responsibilities. When we receive this form, you may receive a follow up call from a Local Authority Attendance Officer if further action is required.