The AST Guidance for Referrals and Legal Intervention for Schools

               (Free training on this guidance and the accompanying manual is available to all schools)

Introduction to AST intervention

The Attendance Support Team exists to help parents and the LA meet the obligations and duties placed upon them by successive Education Acts and Child Care legislation.

AST aims to enable all children to gain maximum benefit from their education, regardless of race, gender, ability, status, culture and religion by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

In the changing world of Education these procedures explain the role and function of the AST in relation to schools, families, children and other agencies.  It also provides a framework whereby schools and the AST can negotiate the degree of support appropriate to individual requirements.

Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to maintaining consistently high levels of pupil attendance at school and recognise that improving attendance is a crucial factor in maintaining standards of pupil performance and achievement, and in ensuring equality of educational opportunity for all pupils.

The Attendance Support Team and the School

Irregular attendance raises complex issues.  Poor attendance does not exist as an issue in isolation. It is symptomatic of another concern which needs to be identified and addressed. Pupils may be failing to attend school regularly for a variety of reasons.  Some reasons may be outside the immediate control of the school, but good practice and appropriate responses within the school to identify needs can help to improve attendance.

It is therefore important that there are clearly defined criteria and procedures for referring pupils with attendance concerns to the AST.  The importance of early identification, assessment and intervention cannot be over emphasised.