Information for staff at running Attendance Improvement Plans How to complete an AIP Information for staff at running Attendance Improvement Plans

Programme Where do I start with an AIP The meeting Who does what in the meeting Questions Outcomes Review CSO

Where do I start Make sure that you have your facts right – i.e. that the student has at least 11 days unexplained/ unjustifed absences. Request that the AIP is developed in writing to the family/carer –(sample letters are available) Ensure that the student is there – an AIP can not be developed without the student

The Attendance Improvement Plan (AIP) The Attendance Improvement Plan aim is to increase the attendance of the student It should document actions that need to be taken by the student, the family and the school to reach the intended outcomes Must be complete in collaboration with the key stakeholders – the student, the family, the relevant staff from the school (year co, special needs etc.)

The aim of an AIP Primarily the aim of the plan is to improve the attendance of the student There may be other aims, for example: To reconnect with the school To feel engaged at school To attend school everyday Ensure that the aim is relevant for the student – ask them what they want out of the plan

How to start the conversation of an AIP Talk to the family about why we need to complete the plan - for example: “Student name attendance has been causing concern because they are missing to much schooling and it makes it hard then for students name to keep up. The plan is about developing strategies to help improve your attendance.”

Continuing the conversation You will also need to explain that the school has a legal requirement to assist families regarding student attendance. That we want to help maintain the students enrolment at the school and we will work with you and the family to do that. Explore the blockers have been for the student to come to school

At the meeting Make sure everybody knows each other Explain how the meeting will run Explain the AIP (see next slide) Use language that makes everyone at ease Explain the AIP and show the AIP to everyone at the meeting

What does the plan look like Explain that: there are student responsibilities there are family/carer responsibilities there are school responsibilities the plan has a 20 day review date and there will be an additional meeting in 20 school days to review the plan the plan is signed by all parties The aim/ purpose of the plan

Explaining an AIP continued: Get down to detail – ask some questions about: What do think is stopping you from coming to school? What happens the night before school? Who packs your lunch? Who gets the uniform ready? What time do you go to bed? What time do you have get up?

More questions? Ask about electronic devices – when the student stops using them and where are they stored? Ask about alarm clocks? Ask about school – if there are issues at school? Is there a problem with staff or others students? Is there a problem with the work load/assignments? Ask if they feel connected to the school? Ask about friendship groups?

Develop the plan together Sit next to the student and develop the plan together – make sure you ask them if this is Ok or this is what they mean Consider what the school can do to assist the student getting back into regular attendance If necessary break the plan down into smaller chunks Keep checking in with the student that you are on the same page

If there is anxiety Ask about who the student is seeing – if a student is so anxious that they can not function to go to school they will require external assistance from a qualified mental health practitioner. If the family does not think that external support is necessary then you need to discuss in more detail that anxiety/school refusal is complex and the school will need to be working with someone externally to assist the student in dealing with this.

Continued You can add to the plan the requirement for external services. Talk about referring to the school counsellor initially – the school counsellor can not see the student long term but can assist the school and the student in working with the external service provider to implement and support strategies within the school.

If the student has a mental health issues and there may be some suicidality Ask the students service provider to attend the meeting. If they can not attend contact the provider BEFORE the meeting so that you can feed in the information they are providing

If the student has a mental health issues and there may be some suicidality cont.: What you need to get from the service provider is; Is the student able to manage mainstream schooling What options are there for the student if the student is not bale to come to a school The medication and the treatment plan Risk of increased suicidality if the student attends (or attempts to attend school) Any current risk of suicide currently and the plan for that risk

The student can attend school If the student can attend school ensure that along with the plan a safety plan is also developed. The safety plan will also need to signed off by the family/carer and the student This will need to be completed with the counsellor present.

What about bullying If the family/carer/ student state that the student has not come to school due to bullying – get details of the incidents and the main students involved. Explain that the school can not do anything unless we know what has occurred. Include in the plan what to do if bullied or feeling unsafe.

Completing the plan Get the family/carer/ student and year Co/Assistant principal to signoff on the plan Make a review date Everyone gets a copy of the signed plan Make sure other options for tasks are explored Let the family/carer/ student know that on the review date if the concerns continue because of the legal obligation the school will have to refer it up to the CSO

Questions ??