School attendance: Improving consistency of support

Overview

We're seeking views on what should be included in measures to improve the consistency of school attendance support and management.

Why your views matter

Based on existing effective practice of schools, academy trusts and local authorities in managing school attendance, we are seeking views on introducing the following possible measures:

• Requiring schools to have an attendance policy, and have regard to statutory guidance on the expectations of schools, academy trusts and governing bodies of maintained schools on attendance management and improvement.
• Guidance on the expectations of LA attendance services.
• A clearer more consistent national framework for the use of attendance legal intervention, including a new regulatory framework for issuing fixed penalty notices for absence.
• Bringing the rules for granting leaves of absence in academies in line with other state funded schools.

These are intended to deliver consistent support for families across England and focus better, targeted multi-agency support on pupils who need it most.