Gloucestershire's school attendance strategy prioritises family support
New approach aims to boost student attendance and wellbeing
Gloucestershire County Council has unveiled a new Multi-Agency School Attendance Strategy prioritising support for families to improve student attendance, taking a holistic approach that places nurturing over enforcement.
The strategy, spanning from 2026 to 2029, outlines collaboration between schools, health services, and other partners to help children attend school regularly and succeed.
Acknowledging multiple factors affecting school attendance such as anxiety and health needs, the initiative emphasizes early help, strong relationships, and practical support.
Each school in Gloucestershire has appointed an attendance champion to work closely with families, addressing barriers and finding solutions together.
Cllr Linda Cohen, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Gloucestershire County Council, emphasised the importance of support, encouraging families to seek help without fear of judgment.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, feel safe and succeed at school,” Cohen said.
“We know that for some families, daily attendance can be challenging, and there isn’t always a simple solution. This new strategy focuses on support first."
By fostering collaboration between schools, health services, and other partners, the approach aims to ensure all children have the best opportunity to attend school and thrive.
The strategy highlights regular attendance as crucial not just for learning, but for child safety and wellbeing, noting that children absent from school are at increased risk of harm and missed opportunities.
While legal measures such as fines remain available, they are treated as a last resort, with the main focus on identifying challenges early and providing appropriate support.
Families are encouraged to contact their child's school promptly if attendance becomes a concern.
Support measures may include establishing morning routines, offering emotional support for children, addressing underlying issues with families, and connecting families to additional services such as health or early support teams