Guidance for school absence relating to mental health: FOI release

Information requested

1- In the 2023/2024 academic year can you provide the guidance given to both primary and secondary schools in relation to recording absences from school relating to mental health.

2- What information was given to schools by the Scottish Government outlining the use of code '9' for absence within the 2023/2024 academic year?

3- Can you clarify how using code '9' should be reflected on a child's individual attendance figures? I.e. would using the code '9' increase or decrease a child's attendance total?

Response

1- Guidance on recording school absences is published in the attendance, absence and exclusions data specification: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-exchange-of-data-attendance-absence-and-exclusions/

And in Included, engaged and involved part 1: https://www.gov.scot/publications/included-engaged-involved-part-1-positive-approach-promotion management-attendance-scottish-schools/

2/3 - Code 9 is not a descriptor used in either ScotXed code set or the SEEMiS code set. Please see the attached excel document which shows the current mapping of SEEMiS codes to ScotXed codes.

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FOI 202400413840 - Information Released - excel document

File type

Excel document

File size

19.0 kB