Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Seventh Report - Persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils
Education Committee
HC 970
Published 27 September 2023
Recommendations
9
Accepted in Part
Para 55
Department lacks urgency in addressing inconsistent and unregulated use of attendance fines.
Recommendation
There is evidence that prior to the pandemic, fines played a role in reducing unauthorised absence. However, it is less clear if they are an effective deterrent for families who are facing some of the current barriers to attendance we …
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Government Response Summary
The government published its consultation response in August 2023, confirming its commitment to improving consistency in local enforcement and welcomes evidence for future regulatory or legislative changes to establish a national framework, while reiterating its commitment to making guidance statutory when parliamentary time allows.
Department for Education
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11
Accepted in Part
Roll out attendance interventions nationally, starting with a national expansion of attendance mentors.
Recommendation
We welcome the increase in attendance mentors and the expansion of attendance hubs. Geographical alignment with Education Priority Investment areas gives some insight into the Department’s priorities but we are persuaded that measures need to be rolled out nationally to …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes support for attendance mentors and hubs, announcing a further expansion of the attendance hub program and an intention to double the number of hubs. It will consider options to expand mentoring investment to more local areas in 2024/25, but stops short of committing to a national rollout.
Department for Education
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34
Accepted in Part
Para 150
Implement better signposting and consider requiring a single local authority support contact.
Recommendation
The Department should also implement better signposting to ensure local authorities, schools and families are aware of these measures. The Department should consider whether to require a single point of contact within each local authority that families can refer to …
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Government Response Summary
The Department agrees to seek opportunities for better signposting of support for low-income families but explicitly rejects requiring a single point of contact within local authorities, stating existing avenues for support are sufficient.
Department for Education
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