Congratulated her hon. Friend for exposing the scandal affecting children across the country, noting that in her borough the problem has significantly increased since 2016-17 due to a £10 billion funding shortfall and emphasised the importance of mental health support along with the register.

Thanked her hon. Friend for raising this important issue, noting that more than 1,300 pupils in Wirral will miss half their lessons by 2026 and urged the Government to cut costs of school uniforms and provide free breakfast clubs.

Discussed how children with a parent sentenced to imprisonment might drop out of the school system and suggested using a register to get data on those affected by parental imprisonment, underlining the need for mental and physical support.

Highlighted the issue of young carers missing 27 days of school a year on average and urged the hon. Member to push forward with a national carers strategy focusing on young carers.

Agreed that children with neurodivergent conditions face significant barriers in accessing school, including the lack of diagnosis and support for education, health and care plans.

The number of pupils with an education, health and care plan in Cheshire West has risen by nearly 50% in three years. Parents often feel they are alone and battle the school system to get necessary support for their children. A survey found that only 39% of teachers have received more than half a day’s autism training, highlighting a critical need for better training and collaboration between schools, health services, and families.

The speaker supports addressing the issue with legislative measures. She has tabled a Bill to make attendance guidance statutory and introduce duties on local authorities and schools to promote regular attendance. The Bill also aims to improve data visibility of children out of school due to elective home education, ensuring they receive suitable and safe education.

Extends sympathies to the family of Sir Tony Lloyd. Discusses the impact of Tory cuts on local authorities in Somerset, highlighting challenges for education services. Cites specific statistics on primary and secondary school absence rates due to illness. Raises concerns about treating children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as a homogenous group without addressing individual needs such as Otis's case. Emphasises the need for top-down direction from the Department to ensure schools do not unfairly penalise pupils with SEND for low attendance. Proposes comprehensive measures including setting up a national SEND body, training staff, having mental health practitioners in every school, and reforming the Mental Health Act.

Argues that the motion conflates two distinct issues: absenteeism from schools and children not enrolled in any educational institution. Explains her private Member's Bill to introduce a register of home-educated children who are not in school, emphasising the importance of understanding where these children are for their safety and education. Acknowledges parents' right to choose home education but expresses concern about forced home education due to issues like unresolved bullying or mental health concerns. Mentions research by the Centre for Social Justice revealing that some children move to home education because schools fail to meet their needs, raising fears of 'off-rolling'. Proposes a register as a first step towards ensuring all children receive a suitable education and are supported appropriately.

The partnership between parents and schools is broken, with both struggling due to pressures such as the cost of living. Breakfast clubs are crucial for children's well-being and parental employment flexibility. Labour proposes putting breakfast clubs in every school to support families economically and ensure better educational starts. Mental health support within schools is essential, especially for those with special needs or disabilities. A broader curriculum can improve student happiness and build a stronger community spirit.

School absence rates are significantly higher in Cornwall compared to the national average. There is concern over state interference in parental responsibilities and lack of flexibility around attendance targets, which impacts families with specific needs such as autism or mental health conditions. The current approach can lead to tensions between schools and parents, undermining support when it's most needed. Parents face threats of fines even when there are legitimate reasons for non-attendance, causing them to withdraw children from school.

School absences in my constituency, particularly in Skelmersdale with no train station and a woefully inadequate bus service, illustrate the broader issue. There is an urgent need to improve public transport and address special educational needs through adequate funding for schools and timely assessment of children's requirements.

Parents often come to me in tears, describing their children as school refusers due to anxiety or bullying. Local authorities have limited powers to intervene when schools threaten fines for non-attendance. Early intervention through better communication skills and mental health professionals in schools is crucial, alongside a review of the curriculum to make education more engaging.

The hon. Member for Meon Valley has campaigned on this issue and speaks about the need for a register of children not in school, specifically for home-educated children.

Does the hon. Lady support making schools responsible for the children they exclude?

The Government acknowledges the separate issues of persistent absence and home education. Persistent absence was at a high point during the pandemic but is now down to 6.8% overall absence last term, with 380,000 fewer persistently absent pupils compared to the previous academic year. The government has introduced measures like attendance hubs, data tools, and mental health support teams.