The Rebranding of Traveller Pupils as ‘Mobile Children’ in the UK

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The Department for Education (DfE) has recently introduced a significant change in its guidance on pupil absences, particularly concerning children from traveller families. In the latest update, the term "mobile children" has replaced previous references to traveller pupils, a move aimed at focusing on the mobility of the child rather than their ethnicity. This change is part of the DfE's ongoing efforts to clarify the application of exemptions related to school absences and ensure that these exemptions are applied equitably.

 

The new guidance, which came into effect earlier this week, has removed all references to gipsy, Roma, or traveller families. Instead, it introduces the term "mobile children" to describe pupils "of no fixed abode" who are absent from school because their parents are "travelling in the course of their trade or business." The Telegraph reports that this rebranding is intended to encompass not only children from traveller families but also other children whose families might travel for occupational reasons.

 

Under the current legal framework, children from traveller families have long been recognized as having legitimate reasons for missing school. These absences are categorized under the "T code" in school registers, which signifies an authorized absence due to parental travel for work. This code is part of a broader system that includes other types of authorized absences, such as the "H code" for approved holidays, "M" for medical absences, and "R" for religious observances.

 

The previous guidance, which had been in place since May 2022, specified that the "T code" was applicable to various groups under the umbrella term "traveller." This included "Roma, English and Welsh gipsies, Irish and Scottish travellers, showmen (fairground people), circus people, bargees (occupational boat dwellers), and new travellers." However, the updated guidance no longer makes any mention of these specific demographics, instead broadening the "T code" to apply to any situation where a "parent is travelling for occupational purposes."

 

Baroness Smith of Malvern, an education minister, has explained that the new term "mobile children" was introduced to make it clear that the exemption is related to the child's mobility rather than their ethnicity. This change aims to prevent any potential confusion or misapplication of the exemption, ensuring that it is based solely on the circumstances of the child's life rather than their ethnic background.

 

Despite the DfE's rationale for the change, the rebranding has raised questions among advocacy groups. The Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers has expressed concern, stating that the purpose of the new terminology is "unclear" given that the laws concerning school absence for traveller families have not been altered. This group has a history of campaigning against efforts to repeal specific sections of the Education Act 1996, which protect travelling parents from being prosecuted for school attendance offenses if their child misses school due to the family's nomadic lifestyle.

 

The Advisory Council previously argued against a 2011 proposal by the former coalition government to eliminate this exemption, warning that such a move "would increase the difficulties faced by nomadic families and would not improve attendance." The group's concerns highlight the ongoing tension between ensuring educational access for all children and accommodating the unique circumstances of traveller families.

 

Data from the DfE underscores the prevalence of school absences among traveller children. In the 2023-24 autumn term alone, nearly 79,000 absences were recorded using the "T code." Of these, approximately 55 percent were for gipsy Roma pupils and those identified as travellers of Irish heritage. An additional 43 percent of the absences were recorded for children classified as white British, white Irish, or of other white heritage, amounting to over 31,000 absences.

 

The statistics also reveal that pupils of Irish traveller heritage had the highest overall absence rates last year, with an alarming 22.9 percent. This was followed closely by gipsy or Roma pupils, who had an absence rate of 18.2 percent. Furthermore, nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of Irish traveller pupils were classified as persistent absentees in the 2022-23 school year, meaning they missed at least 10 percent of the academic year. For gipsy or Roma pupils, the figure was 65 percent.

 

The updated guidance also advises schools not to "unnecessarily ask for proof that the parent is travelling for occupational purposes" when applying the "T code" to mark a child's absence. Schools are instructed to request proof only when there is "genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the reason for absence given." This provision is likely an attempt to balance the need for accountability with respect for the circumstances of mobile children and their families.

 

 

The challenges faced by traveller children in the education system extend beyond attendance. A 2020 study by The Traveller Movement revealed that one in five traveller pupils felt compelled to leave school due to bullying, and two-thirds of those surveyed reported feeling bullied by their teachers. These findings highlight the broader issues of discrimination and exclusion that traveller children often face within the school environment, which may contribute to their high rates of absence.

 

The DfE has been approached for comment on the new guidance and the concerns raised by advocacy groups. However, the department's position appears to be that the changes are intended to provide clarity and fairness in the application of school absence exemptions. The rebranding of traveller pupils as "mobile children" reflects a broader trend within the education sector to focus on the circumstances of the child rather than their ethnic background, in an effort to ensure that all pupils receive equitable treatment.

 

As the education system continues to evolve, it will be essential to monitor the impact of these changes on traveller children and their families. Ensuring that the needs of mobile children are met without compromising their access to education will require ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the DfE, schools, and advocacy groups. Only by addressing the root causes of absenteeism and providing adequate support can we hope to improve educational outcomes for all children, regardless of their background or lifestyle.

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph  2024-08-24

 

 

 

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