Freedom of Information data reveals that from 2018 to 2022, there was a 156% increase in the number of referrals being made via Early Help and a 96% increase in the average number of referrals being returned without action.
The figures have been published by School-Home Support, a national charity which supports families whose children are severely and persistently absent.
The data has been collected from 30 local authorities and covers a six-year period from 2016 to 2022. It shows that almost one in four Early Help referrals from schools in that time were returned without action.
The charity says that this lack of support is allowing issues to escalate and that this is a key factor in recent rises in school absence.
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