School uniform costs 

One of the most immediate challenges for families as the school year approaches is the cost of school uniforms. Not having a uniform can be a major barrier to a child attending school. And these expenses can place a significant financial burden on families, particularly those already facing economic hardship.  At School-Home Support, we understand that the financial pressures of returning to school can be overwhelming. That’s why we have been working in partnerships with Vanquis Banking Group who have been funding our School Uniform Fund for several years.

The journey to and from school

The cost of travelling to and from school is also a key barrier to good school attendance for some families, especially those struggling with poor housing. When families are placed in temporary accommodation away from their children’s school and support area, the daily expenses can quickly add up, straining tight budgets.

In some cases, families have to choose between long, costly commutes or finding alternative arrangements that may be unreliable. These financial pressures can lead to difficult decisions, such as choosing between paying for transportation or other essential needs like food, which can further exacerbate the challenges faced by vulnerable families during the school year.

The underlying causes of persistent and severe absence 

The underlying causes of persistent and severe school absence are complex and multifaceted. While poverty is a major obstacle to good school attendance, other factors such as ill mental health, family instability, and lack of access to supportive services have a huge impact on the ability of children to be in school, ready to learn. 

These issues create a cycle where children and families become increasingly disengaged from their education, leading to chronic absenteeism. Addressing these deep-rooted challenges requires a holistic approach that goes beyond the classroom, that should include whole family support and tailored interventions that meet the unique needs of each family.

Our practitioners take the time to understand family dynamics and address any issues that stop children from being in school, before they escalate.  They work one-on-one with children and families to identify the root causes of absenteeism and to develop personalised strategies to re-engage students and their families with education, building that essential bridge between home and school. This might include home visits, providing emotional support, or connecting families with additional services such as mental health counselling. By building trust and offering tailored support, we help children find the motivation they need to be in school, ready to learn. 

Help for schools: The attendance support and development programme 

Last month, the Department for Education guidance ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’ became statutory. We know the significant challenges schools face in maintaining good attendance. That’s why we’ve developed a specialised school attendance training programme for school staff.

It includes thorough, in depth training and supervision of participants. The programme is designed by experts to support and develop the skills of school staff with attendance responsibilities with specific learning outcomes on key themes including attendance, whole family support, early intervention and parental engagement.

The main goal of the programme is to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to address the complex needs of children, young people and families by uncovering and understanding the underlying causes of persistent and severe absence.

Previous participants are already applying the new skills in their settings. Sarah, an Executive Headteacher said: 

“The Attendance Development and Support Programme allows us another way in, with more ideas, more support, and more guidance on how we can engage those hard to reach families”

Georgia, Head of Year said: 

“The biggest change the Attendance Support Programme has made for me is building my confidence to have those conversations with parents.”

Our Influence: advocating for education policy changes

Our direct work with families is crucial, but we also work on education policy advocacy to support families at a systemic level. With a new government in place, we set out a route map calling on the new Government to commit to an ambitious ‘moonshot’ goal to see every child in school and ready to learn by 2050. This can only be achieved by investing in a support-led and family-centric approach, with ‘radical collaboration’ between all partners, and with a focus on understanding and removing barriers to attendance.

Along with that, School-Home Support is part of the End Child Poverty Coalition and we recently signed a joint letter, which calls for the scrapping of the two-child limit. 

We have also raised concerns about the end of the Household Support Fund. This local authority support fund was a lifeline for many families, providing financial assistance for essential items. Without it, we fear that even more families will struggle to meet the basic needs of their children, further exacerbating issues of absenteeism and disengagement from education.

Working together towards a positive new school year

As the new school year begins, it’s essential that we acknowledge the back to school challenges many families face and provide the support needed to overcome them. 

At School-Home Support, we’re committed to helping families navigate the financial, emotional, and systemic barriers that can make returning to school difficult. Whether it’s through direct support, advocacy, or our broader influence on policy, we are here to ensure that every child makes the most out of their education and has the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond.