School attendance and absence

Child struggling with attendance

We understand that children and young people can be absent from school for many reasons. Common reasons are -

  • mental health such as -
    • anxiety
    • feeling overwhelmed
    • low self-confidence and self-esteem
  • difficulties forming relationships/friendships with peers and staff
  • finances
  • general health and wellbeing

One of the best ways to overcome barriers is to seek help and talk. Help is available both in school, online and through agencies.

Mental health

Mental health is extremely important for everyone. Online help is available from the below agencies -

NHS mental health support team

A dedicated mental health support team to support children and young people aged 5 to 18 in many schools across Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, helping children, young people and those who care for them with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Support is available for -

  • anxiety
  • low mood
  • self esteem
  • sleep
  • worry

Support may include -

  • advice, guidance and getting you to where you need to be
  • consultation
  • parent-led cognitive behaviour therapy
  • 1 to 1 cognitive behavioural therapy with children and young people
  • group work
  • self-help guidance
  • whole school approach
  • parent workshops
  • staff training and support
Referral process

If you have concerns about a young person’s mental health or wellbeing and believe they would benefit from support, referrals to the MHST can be made -

  • within the school setting - all referrals should be made directly to the Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) or Senior Mental Health Practitioner based in the school. They will assess the need and determine the appropriate level of support.
  • direct to the MHST Coordination Team - if preferred, referrals can also be made by contacting the MHST Coordination Team directly on 01482 205 205. Please ensure referrals include clear, high-quality information about the young person’s needs to help us determine the appropriate treatment approach and provide timely, effective support.

Please note, we are not a CAMHS crisis service therefore if a young person needs urgent support please contact 01482 259 400.

The NHS Hull Health Visiting and School Nursing 0 to 19 team

The 0 to 19 team helps -

  • parents
  • carers
  • children
  • young people

We hope to help people make healthy choices, be safe and feel happy. The team is led by Health Visitors and School Nurses, who work together in a big team that includes -

  • Public Health Nurses
  • Health and Development Practitioners
  • Nursing Associates
  • Infant Feeding Practitioners
  • Unintentional Injury and Safer Sleep Team
  • Administration Team

We all work together to help children, young people and their families be healthy and well. More information is available - 

  • online
  • by phone - 01482 259 600

NHS Connect

NHS Connect supports the health and wellbeing of -

  • children
  • young people
  • adults

with learning disabilities, and their families across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Getting to school

By bike

Local cycling charity, R-evolution, has a range of refurbished children’s and adult bikes for sale at discounted prices – helping to make cycling to school and college affordable for young people.

Appointed by us, R-evolution operates a cycling hub at Trinity Market which, in addition to selling recycled and refurbished bikes, provides -

  • bike servicing
  • e-bike loans
  • monthly cycle maintenance workshops
  • free indoor cycle parking

By public transport

Young people under the age of 20 can enjoy unlimited bus travel in Hull and parts of the East Riding by purchasing a Hull KAT Card.

Created by Hull’s Young People’s Parliament and delivered through the Hull Bus Alliance, the KAT Card keeps travel affordable and accessible to all young people across the city.

The Hull KAT Card is discounted by the bus operators -

  • Stagecoach East Midlands
  • East Yorkshire Buses

with a financial contribution from us  This brings the price of the KAT Card down to £15.80 per week.

Household financial support

If you require support to help with the cost of living, access our cost of living section.

Period products can also be accessed via your school. All state-maintained schools and 16 to 19 education organisations in England can access free period products for students, funded by the Department for Education (DfE).