Growing levels of school absence are being exacerbated by poor mental health among young people, made worse by poverty and long waits for support, according to a new report.

This report, Not in School: The Mental Health Barriers to School Attendance, compiled by the Centre for Mental Health and the Children & Young People’s Mental Health Coalition* states that levels of school absence have risen as escalating mental health problems among young people have increased.

According to data from NHS Digital, one in five children now experiences a mental health difficulty, up from one in nine in 2017. Many also wait unacceptable lengths of time to receive support, which is not helping them with their schooling.

Soaring school absences

School absences have continued to soar beyond pre-pandemic levels, with one in five children ‘persistently absent’ (missing 10% or more school time), according to Government data for 2022/23. The result is there are now 150,000 children classed as ‘severely absent’ – a rise of 150% since figures in 2018-19.

The report also states that punitive measures to improve attendance, like fining parents, do not work, and could even make matters worse for families struggling with the cost of living and for those whose mental health needs have not been addressed.

At the same time, it also found that pupils with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) are also more likely to miss school. This is also being exacerbated by long waits for SEND diagnosis and subsequent support in schools.

Young people’s mental health has got worse

Andy Bell, chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health, said: “School attendance has deteriorated at the same time as children and young people’s mental health has got worse, especially since the start of the pandemic. The Government needs to support schools to help children and families to boost attendance. This requires systemic change – not punitive approaches that put families under greater pressure.”

Charlotte Rainer, Manager of the Children & Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, said: “It is no coincidence that rates of school absence have risen in parallel with rates of child poverty and mental health problems in children and young people. School absence is a symptom of wider systemic issues, where more children are struggling with their mental health, struggling to afford the basics to attend school, and struggling to get the support they need with their mental health. If the Government is serious about improving children’s attendance at school, it must take action to address the barriers.

“Supporting mental health must be central to this. This should include increasing the availability of mental health support and implementing whole education approaches to mental health.”

*The Centre for Mental Health is an independent charity that challenges injustices in policies, systems and society so everyone can have better mental health.