School Support / Advice & next steps
Attendance difficulties and support
Attendance problems can be very stressful for families. Understanding the reasons behind your child's reluctance to attend is the first step toward finding a sustainable solution.
Quick answer
Attendance difficulty can be a sign of anxiety, unmet SEND, bullying, health needs, sensory overload or an inaccessible school environment. Contact school early, ask for the reasons and patterns to be explored, and agree support that addresses barriers as well as recording absence.
What this means
Look at when attendance drops, what happens before school, which lessons or transitions are difficult and how the child recovers afterwards. Include the child’s views and separate medical, safeguarding, transport and educational factors. A realistic plan may need adjustments, trusted adults and gradual steps, but should not leave the family coordinating everything alone.
This involves creating a 'safe entry' approach, where the transition into school is softened through adjustments.
Attendance support should be collaborative, ensuring that the school’s environment is a place your child feels secure, rather than simply focusing on the pressure to be present.
Questions to ask
What pattern does the attendance data show? • Which unmet need or barrier may be contributing? • What support will change before the next review?
Local Northamptonshire route
School remains the first education contact. North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire have separate SENDIASS and council information routes. Health support follows current NHS services rather than the council SEND route.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
School, GP and SENDIASS are appropriate starting points. Independent advice is optional if planning stalls or formal attendance action is unclear.
What happens next?
Review distress, access and participation alongside attendance figures. If barriers persist, refine SEN Support and consider further assessment or specialist advice.
Support that may help
School SENCO, Pastoral Lead, GP, SENDIASS.
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.