A recent BBC News report highlights criticism of the government’s new push to get attendance figures up, quoting the issue that for some children at least, not attending school is due to underlying issues such as OCD, ADHD and autism, where there is insufficient support for the children in school. The report quotes Ashley Fulwood, chief executive of the charity OCD-UK, who said:
“Children’s mental health services have for years failed to deliver adequate and timely treatment interventions for children and young people affected by OCD. As a consequence of that the OCD can have a devastating impact on education, schooling and relationships with friends and family.”
BBC News
The DfE is quoted as acknowledging that there can be an issue, and recommends that “schools should have sensitive conversations with children and families and work with them to put support in place for their individual needs” However this does not address the criticism raised that there is actually insufficient support available due to lack of resources and funding as noted by Vic Goddard, head teacher of Passmores Academy in Harlow.
dsga.org.uk 