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 include -

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

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

Support from your school

Support is available from the wellbeing teams with support of the ATTEND framework. Schools may use slightly different pathways to support children and parents/carers with worries around school attendance -

  • parents can speak to school staff (attendance officer, education welfare officer, pastoral support)
  • meetings can take place with children, parents or carers, in school or home
  • a holistic assessment (ATTEND framework) can be completed with an action plan identifying support for children and families. (The ATTEND framework helps school staff, parents and pupils aged 5 to 16 identify and address barriers to maintaining school attendance)
  • parents can also speak to SENDIASS who help make decisions around pupils with special educational needs - they can be contacted on - 01482 467 541 or visit the webpage for more information

If you have concerns about attendance and wish to discuss it with officers of the education and welfare services there are several drop in sessions scheduled throughout the year around the locality. Talk to your local school to find out when the EWS will be in your area.

Online support

We understand how bullying can have a huge impact on your emotional and mental health. When someone is experiencing bullying, they may feel alone and isolated. Family Lives offer advice on bullying.

Getting to school

R-evolution offers discounted bikes for Sale

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 Hull City Council, R-evolution operates a cycling hub at Trinity Market which, in addition to -

  • selling recycled and refurbished bikes
  • providing bike servicing
  • e-bike loans
  • monthly cycle maintenance workshops
  • free indoor cycle parking

Hull KAT Card

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 and East Yorkshire Buses, combined with a financial contribution from Hull City Council, this brings the price of the KAT Card down to £15.80 per week.

Household financial support

If you require support to help with -

  • cost of living including income and disability benefits
  • bills and allowances
  • childcare
  • housing and travel

information is available here.

Period dignity

As period inequality is becoming a larger issue, more places are providing free period products to those who need them. If you need support regarding free period products the following places can help -

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).

Health services

Illness and Physical Health

There may be times where your child may have an illness and problems with their health. Healthier Together offer information, advice and support.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental health is extremely important, here are some direct links to agencies that can help you and your child, support for -

Humber Connect supports the health and wellbeing for -

  • children
  • young people
  • adults with learning disabilities

and their families across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The NHS Hull Health Visiting and School Nursing 0-19 Team

Led by Health Visitors and School Nurses, the 0 to 19 team helps parents, carers, children, and young people to make healthy choices, be safe and feel happy. The team includes - 

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

We all work together to help children, young people and their families be healthy and well.

Mental health support team

Dedicated mental health support teams support children and young people all secondary schools across Hull helping children, young people and those who care for them with their emotional wellbeing.

Teams can provide support for -

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

Support may include -

  • advice, guidance and getting you to where you need to be
  • parent led Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • 1 to 1 CBT with children and young people
  • group work
  • self-help guidance
  • parent groups and workshops
Referral process

Referrals can only be made to the Mental Health Support Team in participating schools, colleges and education settings.

If you have concerns about a young person’s mental health or wellbeing and believe they would benefit from support, referrals to the mental health support team 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.

We are not a crisis service therefore if a young person needs urgent support, contact 01482 259 400.