The number of Rutland children out of mainstream education due to mental health issues has risen three-fold in four years. 

44 children are currently being schooled at home due to medical issues, with 40 of those children unable to go into the classroom due to mental health problems. In 2020, 16 pupils were in that position. 

The children are being educated either online, in specialised alternative provision or there is also capacity for four children from the county to be taught at a school hospital in Leicester.  

The total costs of educating the children reached almost £250,000 in the most recent academic year, with a report to be discussed by the Rutland School's Forum on Thursday (Sept 26), saying the rising numbers and costs are concerning and 'preventing good outcomes for children'. 

The forum will discuss a new model and also a pilot scheme which will see robots placed in some classrooms in the coming months. The robots allow the child at home to see what is happening in the classroom and also interact with the other pupils. 

Last year, a new medical needs panel was established by the Rutland school inclusion team to hear cases for support, which is underpinned by section 19 of the Education Act. 

The panel will now be joined by a member from the NHS Integrated Care Board. 

The report says: "The original model of support for children with medical needs was developed to meet the needs of the cohort at that time. Whilst we have evolved the service in the last 5 years to respond to the growing need of children with mental health needs, we now require a full system change to ensure that children are receiving the right level of support at the right time. Early Intervention is key to prevent complete disengagement from education" 

In total £247, 279 of the overall Rutland school's budget has been spent on schooling these 44 children. £128,081 was spent on education costs and £114,198 was spent on transport. 

The costs range from £42 per hour for personal tuition to £460 per day for alternative provision. Some children who cannot attend mainstream school due to mental health problems may only receive four hours per week of tuition. The report does not include details of which year groups the children are in.