There are many factors that can affect a child’s school attendance, including health, wellbeing, family circumstances, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and practical challenges at home.
The resources below provide information, advice and support for parents, carers and young people in Sutton.
Local Information and Support
Sutton Information Hub
The Sutton Information Hub provides information about local groups, activities, services and support available to Sutton residents.
Sutton Council Children and Family Services
Find information about local services, mental health and wellbeing support, the Family Information Service and Sutton’s Local Offer for children and young people with SEND.
Attendance and Education Support
Inclusion Surgeries
Inclusion Surgeries provide parents and carers with an opportunity to discuss concerns relating to their child’s education, wellbeing, attendance, special educational needs or other barriers affecting school engagement. Surgeries offer advice, guidance and signposting to appropriate support services.
→ Find out more about Inclusion Surgeries
Child Employment and Performance Licensing
The team works to ensure that children can safely participate in employment and performance opportunities whilst maintaining access to education and supporting their wellbeing.
Child Employment
Children who are of compulsory school age must have a permit issued by the Local Authority before undertaking paid employment. The Child Employment Team can provide advice on child employment regulations, permitted working hours and how employment should fit around a child’s education.
→ Child Employment Information
Child Performance Licensing
Children who take part in performances, productions, modelling, television, film or certain sporting activities may require a licence from the Local Authority. The Child Employment and Performance Licensing Team can provide advice to parents, schools and organisations regarding licensing requirements and a child’s educational welfare.
→ Child Performance Licensing Information
Traveller Education Service
Cognus’ Traveller Education Service supports Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children, young people and families across Sutton and Merton, helping to promote access to education and improve attendance.
→ Traveller Education Service
Attendance Newsletters
Our Attendance Support Team produces newsletters for parents and carers throughout the year. These contain practical attendance advice, updates, useful resources and information about support available to families.
→ View Attendance Newsletters
Parenting Support
Parenting Support Services
Sutton offers a range of parenting support services, including parenting programmes, support groups and advice for families.
Alternatively, scan the QR code for a link to Family Hubs and for more information, email: parenting@sutton.gov.uk
Solihull Approach
Sutton residents can access online parenting support through the Solihull Approach free of charge using the access code TREE.
Family Lives
Family Lives is a national charity offering advice and support on all aspects of family life, including behaviour, relationships, wellbeing and parenting challenges.
BBC Bitesize Parents’ Toolkit
Advice, guidance and practical tools to support children’s learning, wellbeing and development.
Coping with Change and Transitions
Young Minds provides advice and guidance to help parents support their children through change and transition. You may also find our resources Top 10 Tips for Coping with Change and Transitions and Ten Ways for Parents to Help Children Cope with Change helpful. These resources offer practical advice on supporting children through periods of change, managing worries and building resilience.
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Off the Record Sutton
Off The Record provides support for children, young people, parents and carers around emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Educational Wellbeing Service
The Educational Wellbeing Service provides webinars and resources for parents on a range of topics relating to children’s wellbeing and education. Parents can also access a range of guidance videos through the service’s YouTube channel.
Sutton Uplift
Sutton Uplift is an integrated community based mental health and wellbeing hub which is accessible to anyone over the age of 18 living in the borough of Sutton or registered with a Sutton GP.
Domestic Abuse Support
Experiencing domestic abuse can affect the wellbeing, safety and education of children and young people. Support is available locally for anyone affected by domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop
The Sutton Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop provides free advice and support for victims of domestic abuse at all risk levels.
Female clients
One Stop Shop
Sutton Baptist Church
21 Cheam Road
Sutton
SM1 1SN
Opening times:
Wednesday, 9.30am to 11.30am, or by appointment
Male clients
One Stop Shop
Masonic Hall
9 Grove Road
Sutton
SM1 1BT
Opening times:
Every third Thursday of the month, 10.00am to 1.00pm
For further information or support, contact Transform Sutton:
- Telephone: 020 8092 7569 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
- Email: transformsutton@cranstoun.org.uk
Further Domestic Abuse Support
Sutton Council provides information about domestic abuse services available to residents across the borough:
→ Domestic Abuse: Where to Get Help
Sutton Women’s Centre provides information, advice and programmes for women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse:
SEND Support
Cognus SEND Resources
The Cognus website provides information, resources and guidance for families, including autism support and materials from the Paving the Way Early Intervention Service.
Sutton Local Offer
Information about services and support available to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Sutton Information, Advice and Support Service (SIASS)
SIASS provides free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support to children, young people and parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The service can help families understand SEND processes, education, health and care plans (EHCPs), school support arrangements, exclusion, attendance concerns linked to SEND, and the rights of children and young people with SEND.
Paving the Way Early Intervention Service
Paving the Way offers advice, guidance and practical strategies to support families of children with social communication needs, autism and related areas of development. Parents can access a range of helpful guides and resources to support children at home and in school.
Support for Carers
Sutton Carers Centre
Sutton Carers Centre offers peer support groups, information and opportunities to connect with other carers who may have similar experiences.
Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support
Support for adults, children and young people experiencing grief and bereavement, including access to helplines, information and counselling.
Jigsaw4U
Pre-bereavement and post-bereavement support for children, young people and families.
→ Jigsaw4U
Safeguarding
Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility. Parents and carers can access information, advice and guidance about safeguarding, including how to report concerns and the support available to children and families.
For further information, visit the Cognus Safeguarding Service page:
→ Safeguarding Information for Parents and Carers
Need Further Help?
If you are concerned about your child’s attendance, wellbeing or access to education, please speak to your child’s school in the first instance. Schools, families and the Attendance Support Team work together to identify barriers and ensure children receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.