 There are clear powers to share this information under existing duties on both local authorities and schools and colleges to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. 175. Where children need a social worker, this should inform decisions about safeguarding (for example, responding to unauthorised absence or to a child missing education where there are known safeguarding risks) and about promoting welfare (for example, considering the provision of pastoral and/or academic support, alongside action by statutory services). 176. Findings from the Children in Need review, ‘Improving outcomes of children in need: Literature review’ contains further information; the conclusion of the 49 review, ‘Help, protection, education’ provides detail about the action the government is taking to support this. Children who are absent from education 177. Children being absent from education for prolonged periods and/or on repeat occasions can act as a vital warning sign to a range of safeguarding issues including neglect, child sexual and child criminal exploitation - particularly county lines. It is important the school or college’s response to persistently absent pupils and children missing education supports identifying such abuse, and in the case of absent pupils, helps prevent the risk of them becoming a child missing education in the future. This includes when problems are first emerging but also where children are already known to local authority children’s social care and need a social worker (such as a child who is a child in need or who has a child protection plan, or is a looked after child), where being absent from education may increase known safeguarding risks within the family or in the community. Further information and support, includes: • The department’s statutory g