Targeted Provision - Attendance Support Policy
Policy owner |
Head of Education |
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Last updated |
4 September 2025 |
Next update due |
4 March 2026 |
1. Introduction
Targeted Provision (TP) is focused solely on providing the highest quality education and support whilst creating the best possible outcomes for the high acuity Children and Young People (CYP) in the SEN/Care system.
Without regular engagement with our tutors we cannot achieve these outcomes, we therefore attach a high level of importance to creating and maintaining good attendance. As outlined in our initial contact guidance we recognise the value of meaningful relationships but also recognise there are many clients who find engagement with their education very traumatic. Concurrently we also have a responsibility to our commissioners and endeavour to ensure their interventions are successful.
With all these factors taken into consideration we intend to address attendance in the following manner:
Endeavour to identify poor attendance trends during the referral process and flag attendance expectations to the tutor. In such cases we will endeavour to identify the barriers to engagement and advise the tutor how best to approach the initial sessions.
Track attendance figures in real time through our reporting systems and identify any attendance concerns. (Regular and persistent absences without good cause).
Raise concerns around attendance at our weekly Support/Referrals team meetings to ensure all support/referral owners are aware.
Notify commissioners regarding attendance concerns.
Support tutors/parents/carers and CYP directly to implement improvement strategies.
2. Attendance Support Action Plan
The following Attendance Support Action Plan provides guidance
Suggested timescale |
Review of Attendance Profile |
What needs to be done? |
Who by? / When? |
Pre-commencement |
Any concerns raised during referral? Any known barriers to engagement identified? |
Advise tutor regarding initial contact strategies. |
Referrals team. Support team. Initial profile email. |
Pre-Session (Before each session) |
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Contact/confirm lesson day/time with parent carer. |
Tutors. This MUST be confirmed at least 24 hours before the lesson. |
If times have been agreed verbally then the tutor must ensure that this is followed up by written confirmation with parent/carer by text or email. |
Tutors. |
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Absence reported on first session |
Every opportunity to engage with the student is provided. |
Online tuition |
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If the YP has not rurned up after 10 minutes tutor must try to call parent/carer |
Tutor On the day of absence |
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If the YP has not turned up after 20 minutes, the tutor must try to call and text parent/carer. |
Tutor On the day of absence |
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If the YP has not turned up after 30 minutes, the tutor must try to call and text parent/carer. They must also email letting parent know that they will leave the session but will be available up to the end of the session time. Parent/carer to let tutor know when YP is logging in. |
Tutor On the day of absence |
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If tutor receives a reason for absence, tutor will report this via TP reporting process |
Tutor/EWO Team Reason converted to DfE codes Attendance reported to School or LA |
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If tutor does not have a reply from the parent/carer or a reason for absence, tutor will report this via TP reporting system |
Tutor/EWO Team Code N will be recorded. EWO team will continue to call the parent/carer to assess the reason for absence. This must be followed up and changed to an O if no reason is found, this must be done by 5 days if no reason has been found. |
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Face to face tuition |
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If the tutor has turned up at the tuition centre/venue/home and YP is not at home or not turned up at the tuition location after 10 minutes tutor must try to call parent/carer |
Tutor On the day of absence |
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If the YP has not turned up after 20 minutes, the tutor must try to call and text parent/carer again. They must also email. |
Tutor On the day of absence |
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If the YP has not turned up after 30 minutes, the tutor must try to call and text parent/carer. They must also email letting parents know that they will leave the session location. |
Tutor On the day of absence |
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If tutor receives a reason for absence, tutor will report this via TP reporting process |
Tutor/EWO Team Reason converted to DfE codes Attendance reported to School or LA |
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If tutor does not have a reply from the parent/carer or a reason for absence, tutor will report this via TP reporting system |
Tutor/EWO Team Code N will be recorded. EWO team will continue to call the parent/carer to assess the reason for absence. This must be followed up and changed to an O if no reason is found, this must be done by 5 days if no reason has been found. EWO team to inform Social Worker/YOT key worker about unexplained absences. |
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Absence reported on consecutive sessions within the initial assessment period (first three months) |
Are the explanations defensible? Is the reason for absence the same on all occasions? Are the reasons for absence consistent with the initial profile? *Is the absence authorised or unauthorised? |
Is this an authorised absence? Less than 5 sessions. |
EWO Team – No action |
Is this an authorised absence? More than 5 consecutive sessions or 15 days during a term. Alert to EWO team to assess whether more support or a change to tuition (tutor/location etc.) is required. |
EWO Team/Support Team
On day of Alert
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Is this an unauthorised absence? EWO team will continue to call the parent/carer to assess the reason for absence. This must be followed up and changed to an O if no reason is found, this must be done by 5 days if no reason has been found. |
EWO Team On day of alert |
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Determine with carer/student alternative strategies to encourage engagement. Support offered: Change of times/days Change of tutor Reduced hours Change of location Incentives offered for a certain number of sessions attended.
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Tutor, student, carers.
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EWO Team will send out a letter /infographic of support available to parent/carer. |
EWO Team
As soon as issue is identified |
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EWO Team to send out text showing support available to parent/carer. |
EWO Team
As soon as issue is identified |
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EWO Team will carry out a care call to parent/carer to offer support. |
EWO Team
As soon as issue is identified |
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EW team to inform Social Worker/YOT key worker about unexplained absences. |
Support Team/EWO Team
If Social Services are involved |
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EWO team will also monitor to see if there is a pattern. Keep Support Owner/referral owner informed if change/ help is required |
Support Team/EWO Team
In weekly placement concerns meeting |
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EWO team to identify mental health/safeguarding issues and refer to the Safeguarding Team who will make the necessary referrals |
Safeguarding Team/ EWO Team |
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Subsequent regular and persistent absences without good cause |
No response to strategies/no improvement in engagement identified. Are the carers supportive of attempts to improve attendance? |
Monitor Attendance through reporting system – Attendance drops below 80%. Alert to Support Team who assess whether the reasons ascertain intervention from EWO Team. |
Support Team (automated alert). Access whether to pass to EWO team
Updated on YP Audit Notes |
Monitor Attendance through reporting system – Attendance drops below 70%.
Alert to Support Team who assess whether the reasons ascertain intervention from EWO Team. |
Support Team (automated alert). Access whether to pass to EWO team
Updated on YP Audit Notes |
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Determine with carer/student alternative strategies to encourage engagement. Support offered: Change of times/days Change of tutor Reduced hours Change of location Incentives offered for a certain number of sessions attended. |
Tutor, student, carers.
Additional care calls with parents/carers and support offered |
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No response to strategies/no improvement in engagement identified. |
Referral Team/EWO Team to make direct contact with the commissioner to ensure all stakeholders are aware and can contribute. |
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Evaluate the effectiveness of the AP intervention. |
Support owner/EWO. |
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Consider placing the referral on hold until issues can be resolved. |
Involve all stakeholders. |
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Inform parents/carers of attendance at the end of each term |
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Email to parent/carer with attendance levels at the end of each term.
Add in the support/help parents can ask for if they are having difficulty with attendance |
EWO Team – End of Term |
*Authorised absences include medical appointments, therapy sessions, illness/medical reasons supported medical evidence and/or carers, anxiety supported by carers, any other absence considered justifiable by carers/tutor and notified a minimum of 24hrs before timetabled session.
This policy takes guidance from Children missing education - Statutory guidance for local authorities.
