Since the release of the Working together to improve school attendance guidance, May 2022, we have been working hard to bring about positive change and improvements to attendance. So far we have:
- Developed a multi-agency advisory group, The Strategic Attendance Steering Group (SASG), to help shape our attendance offer and strategy in Sutton.
- Consulted with over 2000 children, parents, and professionals to understand the needs of our community and barriers to good attendance and have developed an attendance video which was youth led video, for educational purposes.
- Worked with some genius young people to develop the attendance campaign name and strapline, Attend to Achieve #SchoolTodayFutureTomorrow
- We have raised the profile of attendance being ‘everyone’s business’, and have developed an environment where we are all working together
- Every school has been allocated a named Education Welfare Officer
- We have implemented a multi-agency panel to support improved attendance at a systemic and case level.
- Partnered with our police colleagues to implement truancy sweeps.
- Introduced termly attendance network meetings which have been integral to shaping the implementation of the core duties.
- Have introduced Targeted Support Workers into secondary school settings
- Refreshed the local area medical policy and medical pupil referral unit offer
- Working with Suttons Virtual School delivered training to social workers
- Have linked Education Wellbeing Officers attached to Social Care and Early Help
- Implemented a graduated response for improving school attendance
- Refreshed and development attendance website pages for parents, children and professionals
What is working well
| Attendance is recognised as high strategic priority within Sutton with a Strategic Attendance Steering Group and a strategy and action plan developed in partnership with other agencies and informed by pupil and parent feedback. |
| Schools take an active role via Head Teachers meetings and the current approach and model of delivery has been informed through collaboration with school Attendance Leads. |
| Attendance is a strategic priority embedded across Sutton and a feature for the Youth Justice Management Board and the Boroughs Helping Early Help strategy and links to the development of the Stable Homes programme and Family Hubs. |
| Data collection and management has developed through the commissioning Studybugs data collection platform. |
| There is a strong partnership approach at all levels with colleagues across agencies who are able to articulate the vision and strategy for attendance. |
| There is a strong and clear offer in place for schools with all schools having a named contact and advice and guidance on the graduated approach. |
| Targeting Support Meetings have been formally rolled out across the borough. |
| There are regular opportunities for schools to connect through attendance network meetings. |