 local authority areas can sometimes lead to a child who is unknown to any local authority and consequently missing education. Where a child has moved or where the destination of a child is unknown, local authorities should identify relevant local authorities – either regionally or nationally – and check with them in order to ascertain where the child has moved. Once the location of the child is established, the named person in the local authority where the child lives should satisfy themselves that that the child is receiving suitable education. Secure systems should be used to share and transfer personal information. Local authorities should not make blanket enquiries, as contacting all local authorities with a list of children is poor practice. This is also not a secure method of sharing personal information. Best practice is for local authorities to carry out thorough local checks in their own authority area before contacting specific local authorities that they believe to be linked to the child. Local authorities may wish to have a dedicated CME email address to where enquiries can be sent from other local authorities and agencies. Any sharing of information by email or other means must comply with the law relating to data protection and should be done in line with local arrangements for recording and sharing information. Further advice is available in the Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioner’s guidance. Local authorities should regularly raise awareness of their policies and procedures and notification routes with all schools in their area, and with local partners and agencies working with children and families, such as GPs, other health professionals, clinical commission groups, police and other emergency services, housing agencies, children’s