A new campaign to improve school attendance has been launched in Dorset.

Dorset Council has unveiled its 'In This Together' campaign in a bid to bolster children's attendance at school.

The initiative is aimed at assisting families in getting their children to school by providing support and guidance to those needing help by ensuring their children attend school regularly. 

Amid national concerns about school attendance, worsened by the pandemic, both locally and nationally, there has been a significant drop in young people going to school over the past few years.  

Studies show a direct link between how often children go to school and their future opportunities in life. 

Attending school is more than just getting grades though, it also has a positive effect on a child's well-being and offers them the chance to make friends and try new activities.  

However, many families face hurdles in supporting their children to attend regularly, with anxiety often being a big obstacle. 

Dorset Council is therefore launching its new campaign to tackle the issue head-on.  

Amanda Davis, director of education and learning, said: "We know some families have experienced all sorts of challenges and that each child has a unique set of circumstances that might get in the way of regular attendance in education.

"It's important to know you're not alone. We have support systems in place, and there are charities and community groups ready to help too." 

Dorset Council suggests that if families are worried about school attendance, they should start by talking to their child's school.  

If the concerns persist, families are encouraged to contact their Locality Inclusion Team, which has a lot of knowledge and information to help-out. 

Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council portfolio holder for children, education, and early help, added: "School attendance is a huge priority to us, and we’d love to see a significant improvement in the next couple of years.

“Our hope is that by working together, we can see more children able to access school and other education settings more easily.” 

For more details about the campaign and getting support, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/attendance