Vulnerable families are being left without crucial support because a quarter of Early Help referrals from schools are being returned without action.
Freedom of Information data reveals that from 2018 to 2022, there was a 156% increase in the number of referrals being made via Early Help and a 96% increase in the average number of referrals being returned without action.
The figures have been published by School-Home Support, a national charity which supports families whose children are severely and persistently absent.
The data has been collected from 30 local authorities and covers a six-year period from 2016 to 2022. It shows that almost one in four Early Help referrals from schools in that time were returned without action.
