Support First Approach
Introduction
The purpose of this section is to provide an overview of the Support First approach to school attendance in Norfolk. The Working Together to Improve School Attendance 2024 statutory guidance states:
"Good attendance starts with close and productive relationships with parents and pupils. Schools should treat all pupils and parents with dignity and staff should model respectful relationships to build a positive relationship between home and school that can be the foundation of good attendance. In working in partnership with parents, schools should discuss the link between attendance and attainment and wider wellbeing, and challenge parents' views where they have misconceptions about what 'good' attendance looks like. Where a pupil or family needs support with attendance, it is important that the best placed person in the school works alongside and supports the family and wherever possible the person should be kept consistent."
The Support First approach replaces the Fast Track process in Norfolk and highlights the need for all possible supportive practices to be exhausted prior to the consideration of any legal proceedings.
This approach reduces the need for legal enforcement by taking a supportive approach to tackling the barriers to attendance, and intervening early before absence becomes entrenched.
The Support First Approach encompasses the following key elements:
A requirement for all schools as outlined in Working Together to Improve School Attendance is to build strong relationships and work jointly with families, listening to and understanding barriers to attendance and working in partnership with families to remove them.
To access the training webinar for the Support First Approach, please visit our Training and webinars page. You'll find this recording under 'Webinar recordings'.
We have developed a range of templates and resources to support schools with the Support First Approach these can be found within the Attendance forms and templates section. Please ensure that any templates and resources you use, even an adapted version, are reference in your school's attendance policy.
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