This rapid review looked at levels of school non-attendance of children with a social worker in the UK, including risk factors and effectiveness of interventions to improve attendance. Findings show a significant increase in absenteeism for children with social workers and multiple risk factors. The findings suggest that there is a lack of recent interventions targeting school non-attendance for these children, and a lack of research into the risk factors of school non-attendance and what can be done to mitigate them. We recommend that policymakers look at how they can best support those on the ‘front line’ of school non-attendance, including foster carers, schools and teachers.
This rapid review looks at 23 papers on the school non-attendance of children with a social worker in the UK. Whilst previous research has found a correlation between school attendance and higher academic achievement, poorer attendance is known to affect children from vulnerable groups, particularly those with a social worker, who would likely stand to benefit most from education. This review considers children who are on a Child in Need (CiN) plan, Child Protection Plan (CPP) or Children Looked After (CLA). Published alongside the review is a report produced by young people, who were recruited to review the report, provide feedback on accessibility and language, and produce their own responses to the rapid review. This report contains their responses and reflections on the findings.
This rapid review had three aims:
A grey literature search was conducted, as well as a systematic search for studies across eight electronic social science, sociology and education databases. The review was also limited to including empirical research (randomised controlled trials, observational studies and qualitative studies) that have been published since 2010 involving school-age children between the ages of 4 and 17 in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and/or Wales.
Extent of absence among CSW:
Risk factors for non-attendance among CSW were identified as:
Effectiveness of existing interventions to improve attendance:
The findings suggest that there is a lack of recent interventions targeting school non-attendance among CSW in the UK, as well as a lack of research into the risk factors of school non-attendance and what can be done to mitigate them. It is recommended that policymakers look at how they can best support those on the ‘front line’ of school non-attendance, including foster carers, schools and teachers.
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Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
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Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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