06.11  Attendance and absence

We take steps to ensure that children are kept safe, that their wellbeing is promoted, and they do not miss their entitlements and opportunities. At the very least, good attendance promotes good outcomes for children. In a small minority of cases, good attendance may also lead to early identification of more serious concerns for a child or family.

There are several reasons why a child may be absent from a setting. In most cases it is reasonable to expect that parents/carers alert the setting as soon as possible, or in the case of appointments and holidays give adequate notice. The attendance and absence policy are shared with parents and carers, and they are advised that they should contact the setting within one hour of the time the child would have been expected to advise of their absence. Designated safeguarding leads must also adhere to Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP) requirements, procedures and contact protocols for children who are absent or missing from the provision

• If a child who normally attends fails to arrive and no contact has been received from their parents/carers, or if the child is absent for a prolonged period of time the designated safeguarding lead, takes immediate action to contact them to seek an explanation for the absence and be assured that the child is safe and well.
• Attempts to contact the child’s parents/carers or other named carers continue throughout the day on the first day of absence.
• If no contact is made with the parents/carers and there is no means to verify the reason for the child’s absence i.e. through a named contact on the child’s registration form, this is recorded as an unexplained absence on the child’s personal file and is followed up by the manager each day until contact is made.
• If contact has not been made, and we have any reason for concern about a child’s wellbeing and welfare, children’s services will be contacted for advice about making a referral. Other relevant services may be contacted as per LSP procedures.
• All absences are recorded on the child’s personal file with the reason given for the absence, the expected duration and any follow up action taken or required with timescales.
• Absence records will be monitored to identify patterns and trends in children’s attendance. An understanding of the child’s and family’s individual circumstances will inform the setting’s judgement in determining what constitutes a ‘prolonged period of absence’.
• Absence records are retained for at least three years, or until the next Ofsted inspection following a cohort of children moving on to school.
• If at any time further information becomes known that gives cause for concern, procedure 06.1 Responding to safeguarding or child protection concerns is immediately followed.

Poor/irregular attendance

Whilst attendance at an early years setting is not mandatory, regular poor attendance may be indicative of safeguarding and welfare concerns that should be followed up.

• In the first instance the DSL should discuss a child’s attendance with their parents/carers to ascertain any potential barriers i.e. transport, working patterns etc and should work with the parents/carers to offer support where possible.
• If poor attendance continues and strategies to support are not having an impact, the DSL must review the situation and decide if a referral to a multi-agency team is appropriate.
• Where there are already safeguarding and welfare concerns about a child or a child protection plan is in place, poor/irregular attendance at the setting is reported to the Social Care worker without delay.

In the case of funded children, the local authority may use their discretion, where absence is recurring or for extended periods, considering the reason for the absence and impact on the setting. The management is aware of the local authority policy on reclaiming refunds when a child is absent from a setting.