Forward
Attendance has always been at the forefront of our thinking, but there is no doubt that the pandemic shone a bigger light on it. The importance of children remaining in schools was clear for all to see during the height of the pandemic when the government rightly ensured that schools were open for children of key workers and those who were seen as ‘vulnerable’. Since schools returned to full capacity there has been a real focus on attendance, mental health and emotional wellbeing. The government has been fully supportive through the recent DfE guidance.
The recent past has taught us many things. Not least it reminded us all of the importance of schools within the world of safeguarding. Children who are persistently absent and not accessing full-time education are at increased risk of being victims of harm, exploitation, radicalisation. The reasons for persistent absenteeism are often a symptom of wider issues in a child’s home life. It is important that the value of schools and education settings in providing early help and support services is recognised. They provide the opportunity to intervene before problems worsen and children’s social care is involved.
Like safeguarding, we must adopt an ‘attendance is everyone's business’ mindset. It is not just schools and local authorities that have a role here; multi-agency approaches to attendance are key.
As well as safeguarding, schools provide the scaffolding that children need to navigate the challenges they may face through their time in education. It provides an environment that is totally dedicated to their wellbeing and progress with the aim of supporting them into adulthood, employment and great opportunities in life. Those who do not attend school are likely to miss out on this.
We are now all familiar with the new school attendance guidance: Working Together to Improve School Attendance. Within the guidance is a clear recognition of the role local authorities can play in this space. We welcome the principles of working with schools and partners to ensure no children fall through the gaps.
Our new Lincolnshire strategy to improve school attendance recognises where we are, where we want to be and the resources we have to ensure that all Lincolnshire children can and want to, go to school. It puts a focus back onto school attendance and the importance of this to ensure the safety, wellbeing and achievement of all our children.
Councillor Patricia Bradwell OBE
Executive Councillor Children’s Services