In the 2022-2023 school year, 1 in 5 children were persistently absent from school. Worryingly, the rate of persistent absence continues to be higher than pre-pandemic levels. We know that many children who are persistently absent have problems at home, such as poverty, domestic violence or unsuitable housing. We know that many children who are persistently absent have problems at home, such as poverty, domestic violence or unsuitable housing. Recent evidence from the Children’s Commissioner shows that children who miss school regularly are less likely to get the GCSEs that they need, severely limiting their life chances.

School-Home Support provides holistic, whole family support by placing practitioners in schools and communities that have been identified as having high rates of school absence. Many of the schools are in some of the most impoverished areas in England, where many of the families we work with are affected significantly by the cost of living crisis. Practitioners use bespoke support strategies for families, providing one-to-one counselling, and agency referrals.