Section 19 Duty

This content sets out how we, in collaboration with relevant partners and stakeholders, delivers our duties under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996, which states: 

‘Each local authority in England shall make arrangements for the provision of suitable education at school or otherwise than at school for those children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them.’ 

Advice and Guidance

This document has been created based on WCC Legal Advice; DFE Statutory Guidance, Legislation and other suggested good practice; Ombudsman decisions, outcomes and advice:

• S19 Advice and Guidance for Schools and Professionals (PDF)

Related content

Related content can be found below:

• Section 19 of the Education Act 1996
• Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 - The appropriate authority for a school to which this section applies must make arrangements for supporting pupils at the school with medical conditions
• DfE guidance Arranging education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs
• DfE guidance Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school
• DfE guidance Working together to improve school attendance

We recognise that there is a shared responsibility between the Local Authority, schools or settings and other partners and stakeholders to successfully implement this policy and promote high quality integrated service provision to support positive outcomes for children who cannot attend school.