School attendance and mental wellbeing

Reduced or non-attendance at school by a child or young person is often rooted in emotional, mental health or wellbeing issues. 

Research from the Children’s Commissioner found that in the 2022/23 academic year, 22.3% of all pupils were persistently absent from school. In 2018/19, that figure was 10.9%, meaning that rates of persistent absence have more than doubled since the coronavirus pandemic. 

School and college staff can support pupils experiencing difficulties with attendance as part a whole-school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. 

Using this resource

These resources consist of a guidance booklet about mental wellbeing and attendance, a video about parents and carers’ experiences, and a recorded webinar on the topic. 

The resources are designed for: 

• use by education staff in primary and secondary settings 

• use by school leaders, mental health leads and classroom teachers 

School attendance and mental wellbeing: a guide for school staff 

This guidance can help school staff to: 

• understand the links between mental wellbeing and school non-attendance 

• understand the potential risk factors that may cause pupils to become absent from school 

• develop strategies to support children and young people in your setting. 

It also includes a case study from a clinician at Anna Freud who works directly with young people experiencing difficulties with non-attendance. The case study explores how schools can work with others to support young people.