Beating truancy
Follow the links below for information on the causes and effects of truancy, and tips which teachers can use. For more information, visit the website devoted to the DCSF Behaviour and attendance strategy, which has been in place since 2003.
Truancy is not a localised problem; it isn't even just a national problem. Student non-attendance, or truancy, is an issue that's grappled with by schools all over the world.
For information on the measures that are available under the law for ensuring regular school attendance in England, see Ensuring Children's Right to Education: Guidance on the Legal Measures available to Secure Regular School Attendance, issued in January 2008. You can also read about and find guidance on the new powers to issue penalty notices for truancy under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. Parenting orders are also available following prosecution for non-attendance.
Here you will find a summary of a literature review carried out in 2002 as part of Department-sponsored research into the causes and effects of truancy, on the SCRE (Scottish Council for Research in Education) website.
Last updated: 23 January 2008
