Date: October 2025
Review Date: October 2026
Coordinator: Data Protection Officer (DPO)
Nominated Governor: Vicki May
Version: v01.26
For Parents, Guardians & Learners
Our Intention
At The Haven, we see attendance not as a box-ticking exercise, but as part of a much wider
picture of wellbeing, connection, and readiness to learn.
We recognise that many of our learners particularly those with SEND or mental health
challenges have had difficult or even traumatic relationships with conventional schooling. As
a result, attendance may be inconsistent, and that’s okay. We meet each learner where they
are.
We encourage regular attendance because we believe in the power of consistent
connection. But we will never punish absence. Instead, we aim to understand it, respond
with care, and co-create a path back to learning.
What Is The Haven?
The Haven is an online learning partner — not a school. We work with:
●
Home-educating families seeking support and structure
● Schools and local authorities looking for specialist online provision
In all cases, the responsibility for a child’s education remains with either the parent/carer or
the school/AP we are here to support, not replace.
Our Commitment
We promise to:
● Maintain accurate and respectful records of attendance
● Share those records with relevant parties (e.g. parents, schools, LAs)
● Offer creative, flexible, and positive support when attendance is low
● Never exclude learners from our provision due to missed sessions
● Understand the difference between disengagement and unmet need
Expectations Around Attendance
We encourage learners to:
● Attend all their timetabled live sessions (40 mins per lesson)
● Log in on time, where possible
● Let their educator know if they need to leave early or can’t focus
We ask parents/carers to:
● Let us know about any absence by 8:45am via our form
● Keep us informed about ongoing health or SEND-related needs
● Work with us if engagement becomes challenging
Authorised Absences
We understand that life isn’t linear. The following are considered authorised absences:
● Physical or mental health issues
● Neurodivergent shutdowns
● Therapy appointments
● Religious or cultural observance
● Family emergencies
● Digital access issues or technical disruption
We don’t require proof unless there are serious safeguarding concerns.
SEND & Mental Health
We know that anxiety, sensory overload, executive functioning difficulties, and trauma can
impact attendance. Our team will work with you to:
● Adjust timetables
● Offer phased returns
● Provide asynchronous content
● Create calm, non-triggering learning environments
● Check in gently with no judgment
We believe that every learner can re-engage when given the right conditions.
Attendance Monitoring
We keep track of:
● Who attends live sessions
● When learners drop off or seem withdrawn
● Submissions of tasks, messages, or recorded lesson views
● Mentoring session attendance
● Trends in engagement over time
This isn’t about punishment — it’s about noticing patterns early and responding with support.
Truancy & Non-Engagement
We understand that non-engagement can have many roots. However, if there is sustained
unexplained absence (e.g. 10+ missed sessions), we will:
● Reach out to parents/carers and/or schools with compassion
● Offer a review meeting
● Explore adjustments and alternatives
● Signpost to other support if Haven is no longer the right fit
We will never “off-board” a learner without a conversation and a plan.
Working Together
Strong relationships are the foundation of our approach. If attendance becomes a concern,
we’ll:
● Invite you into dialogue, not disciplinary action
● Use tools like individual attendance plans or mentoring check-ins
● Liaise with external professionals (with your permission)
● Prioritise care and dignity in every step
How We Track Attendance
We use a secure online register. Each session is marked as:
● Present
● Authorised absence
● Unauthorised absence (very rare — and never used without context)
● Attending via alternative method (e.g. watching a recording)
Your child’s attendance may also include engagement with:
● Recorded content
● Mentoring conversations
● Coursework completion
Data, Consent & Support
We comply with GDPR and safeguarding law. We may share attendance info with:
● Parents/carers
● School staff
● Local authorities (where commissioned)
We do so in line with our Privacy Policy v10.25 and only with a clear educational or safety purpose.
Questions or Need Support?
We’re here. Contact our Attendance & Engagement Lead: