Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Deferred
Paragraph: 149
Review framework supporting low-income families with school costs and issue best practice guidance.
Recommendation
Ultimately, pupils from low-socio economic backgrounds should not be prevented from receiving an education due their financial situation, and this should be considered a priority for the Department as the cost of living continues to rise. We recommend the Department review its framework for supporting low-income families in meeting the costs of school attendance. As part of this review, the Department should conduct an impact assessment of its statutory guidance on school uniform, Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils 67 support available for pupils with additional costs such as school trips, and support with transport costs. Following this review, the Department should issue supplementary guidance highlighting best practice, so schools and local authorities can make informed decisions on how to best support low-income families.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomed the Committee’s support for its existing expansion of attendance mentors and acknowledged the importance of individual and whole-family support, rather than committing to a review of financial support for low-income families.
Paragraph Reference:
149
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
33. The Government welcomes the Committee’s support for our recent expansion of attendance mentors and the recognition in the evidence to the Committee of key elements of the associated model including the role of strong individual relationships with children facing barriers to attendance, and the difference that whole family support can make.