Dorset Council launches supportive school attendance campaign 

Dorset Council launches supportive "In This Together" campaign to bolster school attendance 

To assist families facing challenges getting their children to school, Dorset Council has launched the "In This Together" school attendance campaign.  

The campaign aims to provide support and guidance to those needing help by ensuring their children attend school regularly. 

Amid national concerns about school attendance, worsened by the pandemic, both locally and nationally, there has been a significant drop in young people going to school over the past few years.  

Studies show a direct link between how often children go to school and their future opportunities in life. 

Going beyond just grades, attending school has positive effects on a child's well-being and offers chances to make friends and try new activities.  

However, we know many families face hurdles in supporting their children to attend regularly, with anxiety often being a big obstacle. 

Dorset Council understands these challenges and has launched the "In This Together" campaign to tackle the issue head-on.  

The campaign offers advice and support to families who need that extra help and encourages settings to listen and support 

Amanda Davis, Director of Education and Learning, says, "We know some families have experienced all sorts of challenges and that each child has a unique set of circumstances that might get in the way of regular attendance in education. It's important to know you're not alone. We have support systems in place, and there are charities and community groups ready to help too." 

Dorset Council suggests that if families are worried about school attendance, they should start by talking to their child's school.  

If concerns persist, families can contact their Locality Inclusion Team, which has a lot of knowledge and information to help-out. 

Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, and Early Help, emphasises the council's commitment to making sure families get help quickly. "School attendance is a huge priority to us, and we’d love to see a significant improvement in the next couple of years.”  

“Our hope is that by working together, we can see more children able to access school and other education settings more easily.” 

For more details about the campaign and getting support, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/attendance