What might schools notice?

What might schools notice?

Observable factors that might be associated with barriers to attendance:

• Distress when separating from parent or carer;
• Verbalising concern about the safety or wellbeing of someone at home;
• Difficulties coming into school with periods of prolonged absence;
• Expressing a want to attend and engage but struggling to do so;
• Struggling to leave home;
• Patterns of absence, for example, particular days and/or subjects;
• Reluctance to attend school trips;
• Recurrent absences for what might be considered ‘minor illnesses’;
• Physical symptoms, for example, sweating, sickness or abdominal pain, aching limbs, headaches, changes in weight;
• Changes to temperament, for example, presenting as fearful, frustrated or low in mood;
• Negative commentary about self and own abilities;
• Difficulties concentrating;
• Changes to social behaviour, for example, increased time on their own;
• Changes in academic engagement and/or progress.

It is important to consider whether there are any possible safeguarding concerns when a child or young person is absent or displays certain patterns of absence over times. If concerns are identified, ensure that these are reported in line with setting safeguarding procedures.

"The overall stress of everything was really, really affecting me and my grades. So I definitely missed a lot of school because of that; I skipped quite a lot, because I just couldn't handle it" (young person).

“He's not so great at Maths and he was disengaged with the lessons because he had too much going on in his head” (parent).

“My biggest concern about going to school is that school put demands on you; they kind of have to, but I’m worried that it’s just going to be too many and too much” (parent).

“Sometimes the young person will start coming in for an odd lesson. Then we might lose them again and it's back to square one. So sometimes it feels like two steps forward, one step back” (school staff).

“[It is] Important to have an understanding that we won't see a change in X amount of time; we will see a change when needs are being met sufficiently so that a young person can move forward” (multiagency professional).