The DfES is to trial parent support advisers in 600 primary and secondary schools from September.
These advisers are expected to:
Activities envisaged in the pilot include:
- Behaviour
- working with parents to ensure their child is properly supervised during exclusionk
- arranging parenting classes or one-to-one assistance to tackle problems.
- Attendance
- making contact with parents on the first day of a student absence to ensure that there is a proper reason for it
- underlining the importance of attendance
- arranging support from education welfare services to address early truanting behaviour.
- Engaging with schools
- arranging home visits and ‘meet the teacher’ sessions for families
- promoting attendance at parent evenings
- fostering effective dialogue between parents and teachers.
Education minister Jacqui Smith said, ‘A positive relationship between home and school, parent and teacher is essential in delivering the best education for young people and ensuring good behaviour and regular attendance.’
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