Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 (“the Act”) requires local authorities to make arrangements for the provision of suitable education at school or otherwise than at school for those children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them. Any school established and maintained by a local authority which is specially organised to provide education for such children is known as a pupil referral unit.