Herefordshire Attendance Team

The Herefordshire School Attendance & Engagement Team works across the county to ensure every child and young person can access a full‑time, high‑quality education. Their focus is to support schools, families, and agencies to improve attendance and engagement for all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Good attendance is strongly linked with positive academic, social, and wellbeing outcomes, and the Attendance Team helps ensure children are in school regularly, safely, and successfully.

What the Attendance Team Does

1. Supports Schools to Improve Attendance

The team works closely with schools to:

• Develop strong, whole‑school attendance systems.
• Promote the importance of regular attendance and punctuality.
• Offer guidance based on the Department for Education’s Working Together to Improve School Attendance expectations.

2. Helps Children and Families When Attendance Becomes a Concern

Herefordshire uses a graduated intervention approach:

• Universal Support (90–100% attendance)
  School attendance officers provide early communication, calls, letters, informal meetings, to prevent issues from escalating.
• Universal Plus (Below 90% attendance)
  Additional support is provided, including Early Help or early enforcement stages if needed. Schools may involve other professionals, depending on the family’s needs.

This ensures children with attendance barriers—medical, emotional, SEN‑related, or family‑based—receive timely, appropriate support.

3. Advocates for Every Child’s Right to Education

The team promotes the principle that all children, regardless of needs or circumstances, deserve full‑time, high‑quality education. Their work is rooted in safeguarding, wellbeing, and equal access.

Children with SEND: How the Attendance Team Helps

For children with Special Educational Needs:

• The team works with SEN staff, pastoral leads, and external agencies to address barriers.
• Attendance concerns are handled collaboratively, recognising that SEN‑related needs may require tailored approaches.
• The Attendance Team’s ethos aligns with Herefordshire’s commitment to early support and multi‑agency working.

Attendance and Enforcement: What Parents Should Know

While the aim is always supportive, the Local Authority also has statutory duties.
When attendance does not improve after support, the Local Authority may become involved and, if necessary, take legal action. This is consistent with wider Herefordshire and national legislation on attendance responsibilities.

The Attendance & Engagement Team also works with children in alternative provisions and those at risk of severe or persistent absence. Their role includes strengthening relationships between schools, families, and partner agencies to secure excellent attendance.

Why Attendance Matters

Research shows that:

• Missing just a day or two each week leads to lost learning time.
• Persistent absence affects academic progress, friendships, and emotional wellbeing.
• Routine and structure play a significant role in supporting children with SEND.

The Attendance Team works to ensure children benefit from these educational and wellbeing advantages.

When Parents Should Seek Support

Parents can ask for help if:

• Their child is struggling emotionally, socially, or medically to attend school.
• There are SEN‑related barriers impacting punctuality or attendance.
• Attendance has fallen below expected levels.
• They need guidance on procedures, support options, or attendance letters from school.

The Attendance Team collaborates with schools to review concerns early and involve additional services when appropriate.

How to Contact the Attendance Team

Schools typically make the referral, but families can communicate concerns via their school or by contacting the team directly at:

Schoolattendanceandengagement@herefordshire.gov.uk