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How to work with parents and carers to improve attendance

Understand how to work in partnership with parents and carers to build trusting relationships that can improve pupils’ attendance and keep it high.

Last reviewed on 11 June 2025
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 49497
Contents
  1. You're expected to work in partnership with parents and carers
  2. Build strong relationships with families from the outset
  3. Communicate positively and consistently with parents and carers 
  4. Work together to identify barriers to attendance
  5. Work with families to find flexible, individual solutions
  6. Communicate about your attendance policy and strategy clearly and regularly
  7. Only use sanctions as a last resort

You're expected to work in partnership with parents and carers

Working in partnership with parents/carers is a key part of improving school attendance. It should be part of your wider attendance strategy, alongside working with staff and pupils. Find out more in our article on how to develop an attendance strategy.

The DfE sets out this expectation in its guidance on working together to improve school attendance (paragraphs 17 to 21) – find out more about the DfE's expectations around attendance.

Build strong relationships with families from the outset

'Meet and greet' at the school gates every day. Have senior members of staff at the gates, welcoming pupils and chatting to parents/carers. Have staff responsible for attendance at the gates, to build familiarity Get to know parents/carers as individuals. Use their