National Attendance Portal

Pupil reintegration & belonging tool

STUDENT COMEBACK PLAN

A practical, co-produced plan to help a pupil return to school after absence, rebuild confidence and remove the barriers that could make coming back difficult.

The aim is not simply to get the pupil through the gate. It is to help them feel safe, known, supported and able to belong again.

This tool saves information only in this browser unless you export the plan. Schools should use their own safeguarding, data protection and record-management procedures before entering identifiable pupil information.

1. About the pupil

Start with the person, not the percentage.

Pupil name / reference

Year / class

Plan created

Review date

Lead adult

Trusted adult chosen by pupil

2. What has made school difficult?

Record the pupil's view before deciding the response.

What has been getting in the way of attendance?

What is the pupil worried about when returning?

What would make the return feel easier?

3. The comeback day

Make the first day predictable. Avoid unnecessary uncertainty.

Return date

Arrival time

Arrival point

Who will meet the pupil?

Where will they go first?

First lesson / activity

How will the pupil travel to school?

What will happen if arrival is difficult?

4. Adjustments for the first days

Use adjustments deliberately and review them. Support should reduce barriers, not accidentally create a permanent separation from school life.

Meet-and-greet on arrival Temporary timetable adjustment or phased return Access to a safe / quiet space Reduced unstructured-time pressure at break or lunch Check-in with trusted adult during the day Reasonable SEND / sensory / medical adjustments confirmed Teachers briefed only on information they need to support the pupil

Specific adjustments / staff actions

5. If it gets difficult during the day

Agree the response before the pressure rises.

Safe place

Where can the pupil go?

Safe adult

Who can they ask for?

What should the pupil do if anxiety, distress or overwhelm rises?

What should staff do?

6. Learning and catching up

A pupil returning after absence should not be overwhelmed by a mountain of missed work.

Priority learning to catch up

What can wait or be removed?

Who will coordinate catch-up?

How will success be recognised?

7. Belonging and relationships

Returning physically is only part of the comeback.

Friends / peers who may help

Break / lunch support

Something the pupil enjoys or looks forward to

How will staff show the pupil they were missed and are welcome?

8. Home and school working together

Keep the plan clear, supportive and practical.

What will home do on the morning?

What will school do on arrival?

Who should home contact if there is a problem?

How will school update home?

8. Home-school contact plan

Main parent / carer contact route

Named school contact

If the pupil does not arrive, who acts and by when?

What should not happen?

8. My comeback

The adult I can go to

The place I can go if I need a moment

One thing that will help me come in

One thing I am looking forward to

9. Commitments

The plan works best when everyone knows what they have agreed to do.

Pupil commitment

Pupil signature / agreement: ______________________________

School commitment

School representative: _________________________________

10. Review the comeback

Review quickly. Keep what helps, change what does not.

What has gone well?

What is still difficult?

What should we stop, continue or start?

Next review / next step