Review of school attendance monitoring guidance
The Department for Education should undertake a targeted review, engaging with a representative sample of local authorities, to check both that the current (improved) guidance is now sufficient and understood and that the system for monitoring school attendance is being followed in practice and meets the need in cross border cases.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe Department for Education is the lead department and expects to complete the implementation of this recommendation by late 2026. Progress and next steps:
- Regional workshops with local authorities across England are planned for September 2026.
- These workshops will test understanding of guidance on attendance monitoring and cross-border issues.
- Understanding of this guidance will also be tested with local authority attendance officers through their representative body.
Progress Timeline
Government response published 2 July 2026 (CP 1623). The government accepted this recommendation; the lead department reports implementation is in progress.
Awaiting government response. Phase 1 report published 13 April 2026.