Taskforce tackles truancy
A new regional taskforce is working together to tackle truancy across county borders.
Warwickshire County Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and West Midlands and Warwickshire police forces are working together to track truants and protect vulnerable youngsters living on the Warwickshire border.
The agencies joined forces earlier this year to look at how they could address issues of truancy and anti-social behaviour where pupils may live in one authority and attend school in the other.
They have agreed to define boundaries and hot spot areas, share information, and carry out regular co-ordinated truancy sweeps both sides of the border. Solihull MBC has a dedicated truancy officer who already works with local schools and the partnership aims to enhance this resource and extend the remit of the post.
Despite the bad weather, the group’s first scheduled sweep last month resulted in one child being found out of school. They were returned to school, their parents were contacted, and through the co-operation between everyone involved an action plan was put in place to monitor the situation and provide support.
Nici Scott-Moylan from Warwickshire Education Social Work Service said: “Although it is still early days for the project we have already forged some good links and everyone on board is really committed to making this work. This relationship is just the first step and we are beginning to scope the feasibility of similar arrangements with other local authorities.
“Co-operation in this way prevents vulnerable pupils slipping through the net and ensures the right information is available to all parties to address any underlying issues which may lead to absence or anti-social behaviour.”
Councillor Norman Davies, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “In Solihull we have a good success rate at working closely with families and schools to ensure the highest levels of school attendance. This partnership is a great way we can work with our neighbours and the police so we do not overlook any young person who is regularly missing school.”
Joanne Sheehy from Warwickshire Police said: “As an organisation we are committed to work in partnership to protect our communities from harm. Young people who are truanting from school can be at risk of getting involved in crime or becoming a victim of crime and through this partnership we are able to mitigate these risks to our young people.”