Children with SEND can have higher absence
Children with a statement of Special Education Need (SEN), or Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan have a lower attendance rates* than children without.
*30.6% of pupils who received SEND support were persistently absent in Autumn 2021, compared with 21.5% of pupils not identified with SEND.
It is important that children and young people with SEND are not unnecessarily disadvantaged by irregular attendance.
How parents can help their children
School absence can worry parents especially if they do not understand reasons for these. The most important thing parents can do is to listen, be patient and show empathy – their child might have social difficulties or learning challenges, or perhaps certain events may have triggered a reluctance to attend school.
Download our guide
Information refers to the SEND Code of Practice and what this means, including:
- Defining Special Educational Needs
- What this means for schools
- Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
- Parental responsibilities to regular attendance
- Absence from school – SEND
- Working together to find solutions
- Support for pupils with medical conditions or SEND with poor attendance
For more information see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
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