School absence is often driven by trauma, anxiety and distress not just practical barriers. Children who feel unsafe struggle to re-engage through academic support alone. Dandelion Time’s nature-based programmes help them rebuild relationships, feel secure and reconnect with learning.
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Low engagement in education is a growing concern. In 2024/25, 18% of pupils were persistently absent, meaning they miss at least one day of school every fortnight. The consequences are stark: only 40% of persistently absent primary pupils meet expected standards, compared to 84% of regular attenders. Absence does not just affect education, it affects life chances, widening inequality and shaping children’s futures long after they leave school.
Dandelion Time supports children aged 6–13 with social, emotional and mental health needs through nature-based programmes. Many have experienced trauma, leaving them struggling to engage with school and at risk of falling behind. Working with the whole family, we use hands-on activity and shared experiences, not just talking, to help children take part, building confidence and reducing avoidance. Our approach works: in 2024/25, 40% arrived disengaged with school and 62% re-engaged.
