Supporting absent pupils with health needs or SEND - The role of the SENDCO

Welcome to this online event where Jayne Lowe (DfE Attendance and Behaviour Ambassador) will be outlining the role the SENDCO in supporting attendance and implementation of the DfE statutory guidance. Jayne works across all phases and sectors of education and with local authorities, with a remit to raise whole school attendance.

The Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance became statutory in August 2024. All schools, trusts, governing bodies, and local authorities must have regard to it as part of their efforts to maintain high levels of school attendance. Expectation 7 of the guidance outlines the requirement for schools to ‘be particularly mindful of pupils absent from school due to mental or physical ill health, or their special educational needs and/or disabilities, and provide them with additional support.’

This online webinar builds on the Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance and resulting best practice one year on. This webinar is dedicated to exploring the role of the SENDCO in supporting attendance and will cover the following elements.

• Systems and procedures

• Understanding and using the data

• Collaboration with partners

• Pupil centred planning

The session will cater for SENDCOs from all phases and sectors.