Children Missing Education
The Children Missing Education Service (CME) offers a referral service to all maintained schools, academies, free schools and independent schools for pupils whose absence is unexplained and their whereabouts are unknown.
We offer a phone advice and guidance service which is available throughout the year during office hours.
The following documents are available to download:
- Referral Form
- Policy and procedure - This policy is under review and will be updated shortly. For urgent enquiries or further information, send an email to cme@birmingham.gov.uk
If you have submitted a CME referral form, consult us before removing a pupil from the school register.
All CME referrals should be sent to: cme@birmingham.gov.uk
Make sure that you use your encryption software when sending sensitive data in order to comply with GDPR.
If you have any questions, phone a member of the CME Team and we will be happy to help you with your concerns.
Important notice
If you visited the Children Missing Education web content recently, you may have noticed some changes. A CME online form was launched prematurely, and due to technical issues, this form has been temporarily withdrawn.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
What does this mean to you
Work will be taking place behind the scenes to enhance our systems and give our customers an improved service.
While this is taking place, continue to complete the downloadable referral form until we advise otherwise.
A new online form is being developed, and you will be notified of its launch next year.
How can you help us
As CME transforms the way it communicates and processes referrals, we want to make sure we get it right.
In the new year, we will be looking for expressions of interest from schools and partners who wish to participate in the CME Focus Group.
The purpose of the group is to ensure that the new systems are user-friendly and fit for purpose.
We value your opinions and judgments and wish to take you on the journey with us.
The Education noticeboard will list all the latest developments, so make sure to keep checking it for opportunities to get involved.
Page last updated: 24 November 2025
