What is a Notice to Improve?
A Notice to Improve (NTI) is a formal written warning issued to a parent where a child has unauthorised absence and attendance concerns have not improved despite appropriate support and intervention.
The purpose of a Notice to Improve is to provide parents with a final opportunity to engage with support and demonstrate improved attendance before legal action is considered.
A Notice to Improve is not a punishment. It forms part of the graduated response to attendance and should only be considered where support has been offered and attendance concerns remain unresolved.
When May a Notice to Improve Be Considered?
A Notice to Improve may be considered when:
- A child has accrued a significant level of unauthorised absence.
- The school has identified attendance concerns and taken steps to address them.
- Appropriate support and intervention have been offered to the family.
- The parent has not engaged with support or attendance has not improved despite support being in place.
- The threshold set out within Sutton’s Penalty Notice Code of Conduct has been met.
A Notice to Improve will not normally be issued in cases of unauthorised term-time leave, where a Penalty Notice may be requested directly in line with the Code of Conduct.
School Responsibilities
Before requesting a Notice to Improve, schools should ensure that they have:
- Identified attendance concerns at the earliest opportunity.
- Followed their attendance policy and procedures.
- Worked with the child and family to understand barriers to attendance.
- Offered appropriate support and intervention.
- Maintained clear records of attendance concerns, engagement and support provided.
- Escalated support in line with Sutton’s Attendance Graduated Response.
Schools may be required to provide evidence of the support offered and actions taken before a Notice to Improve can be considered.
What Happens After a Notice to Improve is Issued?
The Notice to Improve will set out:
- The attendance concerns that have led to the warning.
- The improvements expected.
- The period during which attendance will be monitored.
- The potential consequences if attendance does not improve.
If attendance improves during the monitoring period, no further action may be taken.
Where attendance does not improve sufficiently, a Penalty Notice or other legal intervention may be considered in accordance with statutory guidance and Sutton’s Penalty Notice Code of Conduct.
Requesting a Notice to Improve
Schools considering a Notice to Improve should discuss the case with the your schools allocated Education Welfare Officer before making a formal request.
The Attendance Support Team can provide advice regarding:
- Thresholds and eligibility.
- Evidence requirements.
- Appropriate support and intervention.
- Next steps within the graduated response.
Further Information
For advice regarding Notices to Improve or Penalty Notices, please contact you allocated Education Welfare Officer, alternatively you can contact the wider Attendance Support Team:
Telephone: 020 8323 0461
Email: attendance@cognus.org.uk