Safe and well checks

Welfare Visits and Attendance at The Orchards

At The Orchards, your child’s safety and well-being are our top priority. We know that regular attendance is essential for learning and development, and we work closely with families to support this.

Why We Carry Out Welfare Visits

If your child is absent from school, we need to make sure they are safe and well. Sometimes, when we cannot reach you by phone or email, we will visit your home. This is part of our safeguarding duty and helps us keep every child safe.

When Will We Visit?

• Day 1: If your child is on a Child Protection Plan, open to a Section 47 assessment, we cannot contact you by 10:30 AM or if we have any worries about your child’s attendance or welfare, we will visit the same day.
• Day 3: If your child is open as Child in Need or has previously had a social worker, we will visit on the third day of absence.
• Day 5: If your child is still absent, we will visit every pupil on the fifth day.

Attendance Blitz Days

Throughout the school year, we will have special Attendance Blitz Days. On these day every child who is absent will receive a home visit regardless of the reason. This is to promote good attendance and check that all pupils are safe.

What Happens During a Visit?

• A member of staff will come to your home to check your child is safe and well.
• If there is no answer, we will leave a compliments slip asking you to contact school.
• If we have concerns (for example, we believe a child is alone), we will contact the Police and inform school immediately.

Working Together

We appreciate your support in keeping us informed about absences. Please call school as soon as possible if your child is unwell or cannot attend.