North Lanarkshire Council's new Family Engagement Support Assistants are increasing pupils’ attendance rates across the area's schools.
The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.School attendance levels have steadily fallen across the country following the COVID pandemic, and are also being impacted by ill health and the cost of living crisis.
One said: “My role allows me to see first-hand the barriers families are facing and how these impact on school attendance.“Parents are often anxious about speaking to staff but once I explain my role most feel comfortable explaining their situation and allow me to support them. Ongoing evaluation will continue to monitor the impact our officers are having the area's school attendance.