School attendance: Mental health problems behind absenteeism, pupils say

Ann John, professor in public health and psychiatry at Swansea University, warned of the impact of poor attendance will have on children’s prospects in the future.

“If we see attendance as a marker, as a symptom of other problems, if we’re not addressing those, then we’re storing and saving them up for later,” she said.

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle, who chairs an attendance task force to try to address the problem, said: “It’s difficult to find a silver bullet in this space, but mental health support in school is really a big part of the solution.

“Every child aged year six and above is entitled to access school counselling in Wales. We’re funding training for the teachers and school staff so that they can better support pupils and we’ve got our CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services] in-reach.”

The Welsh Conservatives’ shadow education minister, Tom Giffard MS, accused the Labour government of having “no plans to tackle soaring absenteeism in Wales”.

A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “The recommendations of any task force must be carried out urgently, or Labour will continue to fail our children.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have been asked to comment.

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