School place without a permanent address
You live in a hotel, hostel or with friends — your child still has the right to a school place. Ask for the Fair Access Protocol — the council must find a place within 20 working days. A NASS letter or hotel letter is enough — passport not needed.
Your child has been out of school for a long time? Migrant Help (0808 8010 503, 24/7, free, multilingual) can help you contact the council.
- Find the education department of your local council (search: «[your area] council school admissions»).
- Call and say exactly: «My child needs a school place under the Fair Access Protocol — we have no permanent address. I have a NASS letter / hotel letter as proof of address.»
- Send the documents you have (NASS letter, ARC card, hotel letter or Migrant Help letter). Passport is NOT needed.
- Wait 20 working days. If you hear nothing — write a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman (lgo.org.uk).
It's a right — not a privilege
Every child living in England must receive education — regardless of immigration status, documents or permanent address. This is the law. The School Admissions Code 2021 (s.86–88 SSFA 1998) explicitly lists refugee and asylum-seeking children as a Fair Access category.
- Refuse because of immigration status
- Require a passport or birth certificate as a condition of admission
- Delay admission because you don't have a vaccination card
- Require previous school records (DfE: missing records do not block admission)
- Refuse because your child doesn't speak English
What to bring instead of an address
Any of these documents works as proof of where you live:
Official letter from the Home Office / Migrant Help about asylum support — the strongest document
On headed paper, with the address. Ask reception — they must give you one
Confirmation of support — accepted as an address document
Application Registration Card — shows you are in the asylum support system
With your temporary address — if you have already registered with a GP
Any official correspondence from the council sent to your temporary address
What is FAP and how it works
Fair Access Protocol (FAP) is a system that the council uses to find a school place for children who are not covered by the standard admissions process: children without a permanent address, refugee and asylum-seeking children, children joining mid-year.
- You call the council's education department and ask for a place under FAP
- The council calls a coordination meeting with schools in the area
- Schools must take part — they cannot simply refuse
- A place must be offered within 20 working days (about 4 weeks)
- If your child joins mid-year, the usual timeline is 10–15 working days
«My child needs a school place under the Fair Access Protocol. We are an asylum-seeking family / refugee family and do not have a permanent address. I have a NASS letter / hotel letter as proof of address. Please confirm the placement timeline in writing.»
After the call, send the same message by email to the education department — then you have proof that you contacted them.
Education by immigration status
| Status | School (5–16) | EAL support | Transport (if FSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asylum seeker (Section 95/98) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Required | ✅ Yes (if eligible) |
| Refugee / Humanitarian Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Required | ✅ Yes |
| NRPF (limited status) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Required | ✅ Yes (if FSM) |
| No documents | ✅ Yes | ✅ Required | At council discretion |
School transport: free transport for children under 8 if the school is more than 2 miles away; for children 8+ if more than 3 miles. Extended rights for children on FSM aged 11–16 (2–6 miles).
Pushback schools and what to answer
Complain to the Local Government Ombudsman (lgo.org.uk / 0300 061 0614). Also — Ofsted whistleblowing 0300 123 3155. Appeal after refusal: hearing within 30 working days.
College and sixth form after 16
Education for 16–18 year olds is free for everyone, regardless of status (Education Act 1996 + ESFA funding rules, para 40(f)). Asylum seekers are explicitly listed as eligible. UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking children) get home-fee status as looked-after children. For more details, see the page College and bursaries 16–18 →
Frequently asked questions
Can a school refuse because I have no address?
No. All children aged 5–16 have the right to education in the UK regardless of status and address. The Fair Access Protocol is specifically designed for families without permanent housing.
What documents do I need for school?
NASS letter, ARC card, hotel manager letter or Migrant Help letter. Passport, birth certificate, vaccination card are not required. The school cannot delay admission because you don't have them.
What is the Fair Access Protocol?
FAP (Fair Access Protocol) is a system that allocates school places for children who are not covered by the standard admissions process: refugee children, children without a permanent address, children joining mid-year. The council coordinates it and schools must take part.
How long will it take to get a place?
10–15 working days for a standard application. Up to 20 working days through FAP. If deadlines are missed, complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.
What if my child doesn't speak English?
The school must provide EAL support (English as an Additional Language). This is not a reason to refuse admission. Ask the council for EAL support when you apply.