Why is addressing the barriers important?

Importance of addressing the barriers

Difficulties experienced by children and young people attending school can be cyclic and behaviours can become ingrained. Promoting school attendance, therefore, may not be a short process. Recognising any difficulties a child or young person is experiencing in school as early as possible and providing appropriate support as soon as possible is of key importance.  

A consistent nurturing and empathetic approach towards children and young people who may be experiencing difficulties is important. Trusting relationships can be developed through actively listening to children and young people as well as their parents and carers. Trusting relationships are paramount in ensuring that children and young people are able to explore their thoughts and feelings about school as well as other experiences in their lives. In addition, development of trusting relationships between school staff and parents / carers is key to supporting the family as a whole and considering the holistic, contributing reasons associated with children and young people's difficulties attending school.