New findings from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest that children experiencing mental health problems are less likely to miss school if they receive additional support, such as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), targeted SEND provision, or free school meals. The analysis, carried out with Loughborough University, reviewed data from 1.1 million children aged 5 to 16 living in two-parent households across England between 2021 and 2022.
The study revealed a clear link between school absence and mental ill health. Among children with no absences, only 1.82% were identified as having a mental health condition. This rose to 3.7% for pupils missing 20% of lessons, and more than 5% for those absent nearly a third of the time. While pupils with SEND, chronic illness or disadvantaged backgrounds generally have higher absence rates, those with mental health difficulties in receipt of structured support showed a smaller increase compared to peers without such provision.
ONS spokesperson Louise Vesely-Shore MBE highlighted that schools play a pivotal role in supporting young people: “Absence is clearly linked to poorer mental health, but when children with difficulties have access to EHCPs or other targeted support, the impact is lessened.”
The work, funded through the British Academy Innovation Fellowship, marks the first major linkage of education, health, and family data in England. It follows a call from the Children’s Commissioner to ensure EHCPs are reserved for pupils with complex, cross-sector needs, while protecting those who already have them.
