What steps does the Minister expect local authorities to take to re-engage with parents whose children might not have returned to the classroom following the COVID lockdowns?
We’re aware that some parents may have made the decision to remove their children from school due to Covid related fears, however, we encourage schools and local authorities to work together with families through a supportive approach to enable a return to school at the earliest opportunity.
Under the current circumstances the Welsh Government’s view remains that punitive measures, including fines, are not appropriate except in a small number of cases relating to persistent absence, which are unrelated to the Covid-19 pandemic; and where there are concerns about the welfare of the child; or there have been extensive efforts to try and re-engage with the family by the school and / or the Education Welfare Service.
In the case of learners who were persistently absent prior to Covid, our guidance is clear that Local Authorities have the power to apply enforcement action. Punitive measures should only be used where all other attempts to engage have been exhausted.
The challenges arising from the pandemic have highlighted the importance of ensuring that the support system for all children and young people, including those being home educated, is as effective as possible in the future. We are developing proposals that will further strengthen the existing framework, to help ensure that home educated children and young people receive a suitable education and that their wellbeing needs are met, as well as developing resilience to future educational challenges caused by Covid-19.