Successful truancy pilot to be extended

12.00.00am GMT Fri 27th Feb 2009

A pilot to help tackle truancy has been given extra help by councillors in East Leeds. Initial results from the Truancy Watch East scheme have shown a big impact on tackling unauthorised school absences in the area.

Councillors have agreed to support a £20,000 extension of the scheme in 2009/10 with a view to making it permanent in future years.

The Truancy Watch East Pilot has been running since June last year, helping improve attendance in East Leeds schools and cut youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

The team is staffed by a police officer and a youth services worker and is based out of Killingbeck Police Station, working in partnership with 43 local schools. They conduct daily sweeps of the area tackling truancy 'hotspots'. So far the team has stopped 250 children and young people between June and December.

Those stopped were either allowed to continue if they had an authorised absence, otherwise their school was contacted and they were returned to school or taken home. 14 different reasons were given for being out of school with 100 of those stopped admitting truancy.

Cllr Alan Taylor (Lib Dem, Gipton and Harehills) said:

"I am delighted that this project will be continuing next year as the truancy team are playing a vital role in ensuring our children and young people are in school where they are safe. This will help to alleviate the concerns which have been voiced by local residents about youth nuisance and anti-social behaviour."

Cllr David Hollingsworth (Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) said:

"I hope this team carries on with its good work supporting families and increasing pupil attendance at local schools. I look forward to monitoring their progress over the next year."

Notes to editors

The Area Committee contribution to the pilot has increased from £2,500 (2008/09) to £7,500 (2009/10).

There will be continued financial support from West Yorkshire Police, Education Leeds and the David Young Community Academy. An increased contribution from £5k to £15k from the schools Area Management Board to enable the pilot phase to continue during 2009/10, with a view to mainstreaming in subsequent years.

The Truancy sweeps will operate throughout Inner East Leeds with particular focus on the Gipton and South Seacroft area, including the catchment area of the following schools. Target schools will be;

• Primrose

• Parklands

• Corpus Christi

• DYCA

• Mount St Marys

• John Smeaton