Attendance is a key indicator of a child or young person’s wellbeing and safeguarding. In Dumfries and Galloway Council, promoting positive attendance is a shared responsibility across education, families, and partner agencies, with a clear focus on early intervention and support.
For Child Protection Coordinators (CPCs), attendance concerns should always be viewed through a safeguarding lens. Patterns of absence, particularly when persistent, unexplained, or linked to wider vulnerabilities, may indicate underlying wellbeing or child protection need.
Local Approach to Attendance
Within Dumfries and Galloway Council, schools are supported through a range of services and guidance to promote and improve attendance, including:
- Local authority attendance policies and staged intervention pathways
- Dumfries and Galloway’s Framework for Inclusion
- School-based pastoral and pupil support systems
- Multi-agency planning in line with Getting it Right for Every Child
This approach ensures that attendance is not considered in isolation, but as part of a child’s overall wellbeing. Strong attendance systems support early identification of risk and ensure that children remain visible, supported, and safe. By promoting a proactive and compassionate approach, CPCs help ensure that attendance concerns are addressed quickly and that pupils receive the support they need to thrive.
