Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that persistently absent school pupils receive targeted educational support programmes.

Good attendance at school is vital for pupils’ education, wellbeing and development. We recognise that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused particular challenges for some children who are at risk of disengaging from education. We have been clear throughout this period that schools should identify these pupils and develop plans to re-engage them.

Our £3 billion investment in education recovery includes over £900 million that schools can use as they see best to support the children who have been most impacted. We are also working closely with specific local authorities and schools to support strong school attendance, including through providing best practice advice and guidance. In addition, the Supporting Families programme continues to provide targeted help to families where attendance issues are a significant concern.