My role supports children and young people

Members of the school wellbeing or support team are essential in helping children and young people feel safe and known at school. Which can help them overcome barriers to regular school attendance.  

How can my role help support school attendance?

Improving attendance is a shared responsibility and support staff can help by: 

• Building and keeping good relationships with students. Creating environments to help ensure they are known, safe, well and learning. This can help you to recognise the signs when a student may be struggling and needs some extra support. 
• Knowing your role in supporting your school’s attendance procedure. 
• Maintaining contact with families and forming positive relationship. Read through attendance scenarios as examples of common attendance situations and recommended actions. Creating an opportunity to work on solutions with them. This may include providing advice or referrals to external services if suitable.  
• Taking part or setting up Learning Plan, Care Team or case management meetings as needed. This will be dependent on your role. 
• Escalating concerns with your school’s Wellbeing Team as early as possible. To ensure early support and intervention. 
• Supporting referrals to other services where appropriate. This must be done in line with your school’s processes.  
• Contacting the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice Referral Line (ARL) for any matter relating to school attendance where there are concerns for child wellbeing or safety. This support must be engaged in line with your school’s processes.