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<p>All children of compulsory school age are entitled to a full time education which
is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they
may have. Schools and local authorities are empowered to keep absences to a minimum
and have measures available to support and promote good attendance.</p><p> </p><p>Where
parents are struggling to get their child to go to school, the school and local authorities
can provide support and work with families to improve their child’s attendance. The
Department’s advice on school attendance sets out that a conversation between parents
and the school is the first step. It also sets out how schools and local authorities
can help with wider issues. This guidance can be found on GOV.UK at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/help-with-getting-your-child-to-go-to-school"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence/help-with-getting-your-child-to-go-to-school</a></p><p>
</p><p>Where there is an underlying mental health issue, such as a social anxiety
disorder, schools should look to secure the right support. To help schools identify
underlying mental health problems in young people, in June 2014, the Department issued
advice on mental health and behaviour to ensure all young people get the help they
need, which can be found on GOV.UK at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2</a></p><p>
</p><p>To secure specialist support where it is needed, the Government is making £1.4
billion available over the course of this Parliament to transform local children and
young people’s mental health services to deliver more integrated and accessible services.
We have also contributed to a £3 million joint pilot of single points of contact in
schools and specialist mental health services to ensure students have timely access
to appropriate specialist support where needed.</p><p> </p><p>We are also promoting
support for parents on mental health. We continue to provide funding to Young Minds
for their Parent Helpline. We have also funded the MindEd website to provide a new
section for parents – the materials include information for parents on children who
refuse to go to school and what steps to take, this information is attached.</p>
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