This week I highlight a media report that Ministers are set to trial local attendance action alliances, the Education Committee’s recommendations around introducing mental health absence codes for schools and reviewing mental health services, as well as the publication of a flexible working toolkit for schools.

Initiatives to improve attendance
Schools Week has reported that Ministers are set to trial local attendance “action alliances” made up of schools, councils and doctors as part of their push to improve stubborn absence rates.  Figures published this week show attendance at the start of this academic year has barely improved on last year.  The plan is to bring leaders from education, children’s social and health services together to come up with regional solutions, mirroring the national attendance action alliance (AAA) which has been meeting for nearly two years.

A major report by the Education Committee, published on Wednesday, has also called for mental health absence codes for schools and a review of mental health services. Other recommendations included making use of the Pupil Attendance Dashboard statutory and that the DfE implements statutory attendance guidance to be applicable from September 2024.

Four more attendance hubs were also announced this week (none in the North East), taking the total up to 14 and these schools will give tips on how to drive down absence.

DfE publishes flexible working toolkit
The toolkit has been produced by sector experts, including school leaders, and is intended to support schools with understanding the benefits of flexible working, implementing effective practice and helping staff to request flexible arrangements.