Truancy operation in Ceredigion

Following the success of the truancy sweep in February, members of Dyfed Powys Police and Ceredigion County Council’s Education Inclusion Service conducted a further operation on Monday 16 May 2016 targeting truants from Ceredigion schools. Police officers and education officers worked together in the towns of Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Aberaeron and Tregaron.

Several more addresses were visited when no satisfactory explanation had been received by the school for the child’s absence.

The Council and the Police are working closely together to try and educate parents and children in relation to the importance of school attendance and the consequences of any unauthorised absence from school.

Barry Rees, the Council’s Strategic Director for Learning and Partnerships, said: “Every child in Ceredigion deserves the best possible opportunity to learn, and their school attendance is vital to ensure that they reach their full potential.

There are a number of genuine reasons why children are absent from school. However, it is unacceptable that there is a small minority of pupils who deliberately avoid attending school regularly, at times with their parents or guardians’ knowledge.

Parents and guardians’ understanding of the importance of school attendance is key in these efforts and, as shown by this operation, the Council is committed to operate when pupils’ absences are unacceptable.”

Inspector Rose Ann Lloyd from Dyfed Powys Police said: “This successful multi-agency operation demonstrated how the Police and Education Officers are working together towards ensuring that children within the county are maximising their opportunities to attend school and get a good education.”

Regular collaborative initiatives will be organised by the Police and the Education Inclusion Service at various times during this and the forthcoming academic year to continue to tackle truancy.