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Building capacity in family support to tackle low school attendance 

Persistent and severe school absence impacts children, families, and communities—especially in disadvantaged areas. School-Home Support’s Attendance Support and Development Programme (ASDP) equips school staff with practical tools and strategies to tackle low attendance through whole-family support, parental engagement, and early intervention. By focusing on building trust and addressing the root causes of absence, schools have seen transformative results: improved attendance, stronger family relationships, and better pupil engagement.

Persistent and severe school absence impacts children, families, and communities—especially in disadvantaged areas. School-Home Support’s Attendance Support and Development Programme (ASDP) equips school staff with practical tools and strategies to tackle low attendance through whole-family support, parental engagement, and early intervention. By focusing on building trust and addressing the root causes of absence, schools have seen transformative results: improved attendance, stronger family relationships, and better pupil engagement.

23 Jan 2025, 9:00

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Persistent absence has become one of the most pressing challenges in schools across the country today. Behind the columns of names marked absent in the nation’s school registers lie a thousand stories of the children who didn’t make it to school. For some, it’s an isolated event. For others, it’s part of a worrying pattern. No story is the same, every child’s needs are unique. 

Headteachers feel the weight of it; teachers, stretched thin, grow frustrated; and many parents, worn down by life’s challenges, seem unreachable. It’s a familiar picture in schools that impacts not just children and their families but communities too. 

For poorer areas, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Low attendance isn’t just about empty seats; it’s about children grappling with anxiety, unmet needs, or challenging home lives. It’s about parents battling poverty or trauma with little support. Schools are expected to navigate these complexities, but where can they turn for help? 

School-Home Support, a national education charity, has launched a new programme: the Attendance Support and Development Programme (ASDP). It is designed to upskill school staff to deliver support-led strategies to tackle low attendance through whole family support, parental engagement and early interventions. 

Mastering attendance: upskilling school staff 

For a school in Blackpool, the ASDP was transformative. School staff with pastoral and attendance duties attended the Mastering Attendance training programme, gaining insights into the dynamics of family engagement and how to implement early help strategies. 

“We were drowning in absenteeism,” recalls the Headteacher. “Our staff felt ill-equipped to address the underlying issues. We knew we needed a different approach.” 

The training equipped the team to have sensitive yet effective conversations with parents about the importance of education. 

“One of the most powerful lessons was learning how to shift the narrative with parents,” says the Head of Year 6. “Instead of focusing on punishment, we started focusing on partnership. It changed everything.” 

After the training, the school piloted new attendance initiatives. They introduced home visits to build trust with hard-to-reach families, created an attendance mentoring scheme and, launched breakfast clubs to ensure children started the day well-fed. These efforts showed impressive results: by the end of the year, persistent absence rates had dropped, and the school saw a marked improvement in pupil wellbeing and engagement. 

Holistic strategies to identify the root causes of low attendance 

The Attendance Support and Development Programme (ASDP) takes a whole-family approach, focusing on early intervention, parental engagement, and strategies to build trust and collaboration. 

One key insight the programme reinforces is understanding that attendance issues rarely exist in isolation. It’s not about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, the ASDP encourages schools to develop a deeper understanding of the root causes of absence which can be complex and overlapping – housing, family mental health struggles or parental attitudes. There is a strong focus on strategies to enhance positive parental engagement.

Attendance support for every school 

The ASDP is accessible at three levels, ensuring schools of all sizes and budgets can benefit. For those just starting their journey, a free Attendance Bitesize course delivered via email introduces the programme’s core principles. 

Schools ready to dive deeper can opt for an Attendance Foundations shorter online course, while those looking for sustained impact can commit to the Mastering Attendance programme. An academic year-long programme that includes one to one sessions, supervision and complex cases support. 

Each option equips staff with the tools, strategies and confidence to ensure sustainable, positive change for the entire school community. 

School-Home Support also offers a dedicated Practitioner Service. Practitioners are professionals in family support work who are placed in schools and the community and have the time to dig a little deeper to understand the underlying causes of absence. 

Ready to boost attendance in your school? 

For schools struggling with low attendance, the journey may feel daunting. But the ASDP offers a clear roadmap. With practical tools, tailored training, and a supportive community, schools can turn the tide. 

As one Headteacher puts it: “The ASDP didn’t just help us improve attendance; it helped us rebuild trust with our families. It reminded us why we’re here: to give every child the best possible chance in life.” 

If your school is ready to take the first step to improve low attendance, get in touch on attendancesupport@shs.org.uk

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