What is a local authority?

Local authorities have a wide range of education duties. In England and Wales, they must arrange suitable education for children of compulsory school age who would not otherwise receive it because of illness, exclusion or other reasons, often through alternative provision or pupil referral units. They carry out statutory assessments and issue plans for children with special educational needs or additional learning needs, work with schools to improve attendance, track children missing education, and look after children in their care.

Many local authorities also commission places from independent providers, tuition centres and special schools. They may pay for these places, set expectations for reporting and quality, and review placements regularly. You may still hear the older term “local education authority” (LEA).

England and Wales

In England, the local authority’s role alongside academies and academy trusts varies between areas, and many PRUs have become academies. In Wales, the 22 local authorities also maintain individual development plans for some learners and commission education other than at school (EOTAS). Legislation and guidance differ between the two nations.

Why it matters for your setting

• The local authority is often both a commissioner and a safeguarding partner, so it will want accurate attendance and progress information.
• For looked after children and pupils with plans, the authority has legal responsibilities you need to support.
• Knowing which authority is responsible for each pupil matters when pupils come from several areas.

How PupilDB helps

PupilDB records each pupil’s local authority and referring agency, and the student update report exports as a CSV you can share with commissioners.