Attending and participating in education is fundamental to ensuring all our children and young people become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
In 2019 the Scottish Government published Included, Engaged and Involved Part 1: Promoting and Managing School Attendance. This refreshed guidance reflected the evolving landscape in education highlighting the impact of positive and supportive relationships on children and young people, while providing advice and guidance for local authorities on the recording of attendance and absence from school. Furthermore, in response to a declining attendance levels in November 2023 Education Scotland published Improving Attendance: Understanding the Issue. This national analysis of attendance outlined the national context and signposted supports for local authorities.
The following publications have been highlighted to outline the current and evolving legislative and policy landscape in relation to attendance.
The Education (Scotland) Act 1980
The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 states that every parent of a school-age child must provide an education for their children. Where a child of school age has attended a public school, fails to attend regularly, the parent shall be deemed to have failed to secure regular attendance of their child at school.
Included, Engaged & Involved
Included, Engaged & Involved Part 1: A Positive Approach to the Promotion and Management of Attendance in Scottish Schools (2019) promotes a relational approach to consider how schools and local authorities can promote positive attendance and effectively manage absences.
Included, Engaged and Involved Part 2: A Positive Approach to Preventing and Managing School Exclusions (2017) provides guidance on approaches that can be used to prevent exclusion while summarising the legislative duties placed on Local Authorities.
Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)
Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) advocates for early intervention and a proactive partnership approach to ensure effective support is in place for all pupils and their families. A developing awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), nurture and the impact of trauma on young people’s mental health and wellbeing should be considered alongside the rights of the child.
1.2.4 Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)
Curriculum for Excellence provides a flexible curriculum for 3-18 years. The curriculum comprises the totality of experiences which are planned for children and young people wherever they are being educated. It ensures all children and young people are provided with relevant and accessible educational opportunities in line with their own needs and context to enable them to succeed.
Curriculum for Excellence entitles all children and young people to experience a broad general education during the period from the early years to the end of S3; a senior phase from S4; and support where a need is identified, to enable them to gain as much as possible from the provision provided.
Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy
Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy aims to ensure that children and young people’s education empowers then to effectively develop employability skills. It advocates for a rich blend of learning, including vocational education.
The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
UNCRC recognises education as a right while acknowledging the role it can play in alleviating poverty. In particular, Article 28 (Access to Education) states that every child has the right to an education while Article 29 (Aims of Education) states that education should help young people develop their personalities, talents and abilities. On 16th March 2021 the Scottish Parliament voted to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish law.
National Improvement Framework (NIF)
National Improvement Framework (NIF) for Scottish Education outlines the Scottish Government’s vision and priorities for Scotland’s children and young people’s progress in learning. The Framework emphasises the Scottish Governments ambition of excellence and equity for all children and young people, with a duty on local authorities to close the poverty related attainment gap. Subsequently the Scottish Attainment Challenge includes an annual investment of £200million in 2022/23 to support children and young people impacted by poverty.
National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021)
The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021) outlines the responsibilities and expectations for everyone working, or in contact, with children and young people in Scotland. It outlines the continuum of support for all children highlighting that the wellbeing and safety of children are indivisibly connected. There is a clear articulation of the importance of GIRFEC to protecting children, particularly in recognising that all children and young people should receive the appropriate support when needed.
The Guidance indicates that all agencies that work with children and their families have a shared responsibility for protecting children – promoting, supporting and safeguarding their wellbeing. Child protection is of paramount importance and absence from school may indicate a child is at risk.
