COVID-19 related absences arising from pupils who have been requested to self-isolate by a medical professional or for pupils who feel unwell with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be recorded in accordance with the school’s procedures for the notification and recording of absences. These COVID-19 related absences should be noted by the school as explained absences.
In relation to explained absences and in line with the procedures for referrals from schools to the EWS, schools are advised to use their discretion in determining whether a pupil’s attendance warrants a referral to EWS. A pupil’s absence may be satisfactorily explained by certified illness, bereavement or other valid reasons such as those related to COVID-19.
TESS is aware that since March 2020 students may have been absent from school due to Covid-19, either where the student is self-isolating or where the student may have contracted Covid-19. TESS is very mindful of the impact Covid-19 has had on many families and the service adopts a child welfare approach to all cases. In all cases referred to TESS staff engage with the student, his/her family and his/her school to put in place a plan that will support the student to return to and remain in school.
