"There is no doubt that the identity card scheme is about biometric data and creating a centralised govt database" 🧐 Silkie Carlo discusses how the introduction of digital IDs could result in a "checkpoint society" with Matt Chorley for Times Radio 🚏

A parent with a child with a chronic illness has been advised via an Early Help meeting to screenshot the thermometer evidencing her child’s high temp (and therefore unwell to attend school) every day. This is surveillance and interference into family life. 1/

This parent carer is on their knees with stress & implicit threat of fines. Weaponised safeguarding is not ok. It destabilises a family further, adding toxic stress within the home leading in many cases to family breakdown. 2/

This parent carer has complied with systems, supplied evidence, shared openly. And yet they are being asked to continually evidence fitness to attend. If this is what Department for Education means by being scrupulous about attendance, know your policies are causing institutional harm. 4/

Clinically Vulnerable Families 💙💜💗 Almost 700 reasons why 100% attendance is an impossibility here: teamsquarepeg.org/100-percent-at…

Is it inclusive to insist that school attendance should be at 100%? Is it inclusive to say that all children are better off at school, always? No, and here’s why not. 1/

Attendance isn’t the same as learning. Real inclusion is flexibility, different ways to learn & doing away with ‘one size fits all’. It’s opportunities, not punishments. Until the government realises that, YP will continue to be failed. Attendance targets are not inclusion. 7/

100% attendance targets mean no tolerance for sickness / bereavement / homelessness and other family crisis etc

Groups supporting parents report even more pressures since the new govt attendance guidance came in. Supported by the Children’s Commissioner’s 100% attendance focus The Schools Bill would make this guidance statutory, making the problem worse Square Peg Not Fine in School

@WayneH4444 Baby P & other serious case reviews have led to a personal accountability framework around safeguarding which really isn't helping. Neither is it the right lens with which to tackle attendance difficulties. @Andy_Bilson @FiGullonScott Cerebra Leeds Law School @CDSLeeds

The current attendance guidance is to be put on a statutory footing by the Schools Bill, if the govt continues with it. Parents should be able to make common sense decisions about their children's health. Attendance targets, pressure and threats aren't helpful #NoToSchoolsBill

The Schools Bill is to be axed but on the Children Not in School register Gillian Keegan said that "we have heard your concerns and it is definitely a priority" Robin Walker, Committee chair "We are keen to understand what legislative vehicle might be able to deliver that."

IRR News returns! 🧵⤵️ Will the new government break with the punitive approach to the poor and marginalised? 🖊️ Editorial 🗓️ Calendar of Racism & Resistance 📰 New article by Jessica Perera & more bit.ly/IRRNEWS11072024

VCF are concerned at the continued focus which suggests that the problem is services not knowing who needs help. There are families fighting for support. Poverty, homelessness, lack of SEND provision all negatively impact the wellbeing of children, including in attendance.

A reminder that those who spoke up against the last governments Child Not in School registers included safeguarding and child protection experts. Databases are not the solution to systemic problems and can create their own problems for children. notoschoolsbill.uk

The Schools Bill Child Not in School databases involved significant and dangerous data sharing powers. It is hoped that the latest proposed CNIS government will not follow in this. Reminder of the open letter to the last government. notoschoolsbill.uk/open-letter-20…