The introduction of the policy that fines parents if the take their children out of school to go on holiday is not the most effective way to reduce the worrying number of unauthorised absences.
Many children and young people that don’t attend school is much more complex than having a few days off because theparents are wanting to manage the family budget more effectively or that theirwork commitments make planning family holidays difficult.
If children are feeling sad stressed,worried and confused, then more emotional support is required within schools so that children can be more able to feel confident to be in a learning environment which is often perceived by young people to be very competitive.
Research has demonstrated that counselling can reduce levels of lateness and absences within schools. Children can feel understand and acquire better coping strategies to deal withdifficulties that they may be dealing with i.e. poor family relationships, loss trauma and the deprivation.
When children and young people feelvalued and empowered then they often make better more positive choices about their lives which includes better concentration at school.