School attendance and the Education Welfare Service

Parents have a legal responsibility to make sure that their school-registered child attends school regularly. The Education Welfare Officers work with parents and schools to support regular school attendance.

The Education Welfare Services main task is to work with families and young people where the level of absence is giving cause for concern.

The Education Welfare Officer will visit the home and talk with students and parents about attendance and seek to resolve issues and achieve a return to school. However, should there be no genuine reason for absence the Education Welfare Officer has the power to prosecute the parents for not sending their children to school under Section 444 (1) or 1(A) of the Education Act 1996. The Education Welfare Officer will work in partnership with the school where there are concerns about school attendance. They will also work with other agencies to seek a resolution to problems preventing a child attending school.

Your Education Welfare Officer is available to discuss concerns you may have. You can find out who your school's Education Welfare Officer is by asking the school or telephoning the main Education Welfare Office on 01452 550505.

Expected Attendance Level
The Department for Children Schools and Families, minimum recommendation for attendance is  93%.

Authorised Absence
It is important to note that only a school can authorise or unauthorise an absence. If your child is ill or unable to attend school for some reason, you need to contact the school by telephone and/or by letter to inform them. The school will then decide whether to authorise an absence.

Unauthorised Absence
There are only a few valid reasons why your child should be absent. If your child has been away from school without any reason provided the school will make contact with you to ascertain the reason for absence. This may be by phone or letter or an invitation to meet in school.

Truancy
If you have a suspicion that your child is not going to school please contact the school immediately. They will hopefully reassure you that everything is fine. If the school have concerns regarding truancy they will talk to you about it and try and resolve the matter. In the event of ongoing concerns they may involve the Education Welfare Officer.

Promoting school attendance as a parent is paramount in ensuring the importance of education. Taking an active interest in your child's development will ensure you are well informed of your child's education and progression.

Holidays in Term Time
Each year a number of children are absent because their parents take them away on holiday during term time. A pupil's absence can seriously disrupt the continuity of their learning. Not only do they miss the teaching provided on the days they are away; they are also less prepared for lessons upon their return. There is a consequent risk of under achievement, which you and we must seek to avoid.

Time off school for family holidays is not a right.  Schools have discretion in 'exceptional circumstance'  to authorise a holiday if they believe it is a genuine reason.   Parents can be given a Penalty Notice or prosecuted for periods of unauthorised holidays.

Children Missing Education
The OFSTED Out of School Report (2004) estimated that there were approximately 10,000 children missing from Education in the UK. These "missing" children are amongst the most vulnerable in our county.

Here in Gloucestershire, all services work together to identify and re-engage these children and help to get them back into appropriate education as quickly as possible. Gloucestershire Education Welfare Service is the main referral point for "lost" pupils. The team maintain the "missing pupil" database and attempts to trace all children referred by organisations like Safeguarding Children, Children and Families Team, Health, Housing etc and through our extended relationship with authorised representatives from other UK Local Authorities.

If you know of a child who is missing, we need to know.
Please email missingpupils@gloucestershire.gov.uk or Telephone 01452 550505.

Who to contact:
If you know children who are not attending school or have difficulty with your own child's attendance then contact the Education Welfare Service.

Telephone 01452 550505
ews.admin@gloucestershire.gov.uk

If you have moved to Gloucestershire and have school age children who need a school place contact the Admissions and Transfer Team.

Missing U from school Campaign launched to promote the benefits of good attendance at school