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Managing Attendance in Catholic Maintained Schools. Background. Policy First Issued to Schools in March 1999 for adoption by Boards of Governors Minor updating and re-issued January 2007 Covers all absence reported as sick leave any form of unauthorised leave
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Background • Policy First Issued to Schools in March 1999 for adoption by Boards of Governors • Minor updating and re-issued January 2007 • Covers all absence reported as sick leave any form of unauthorised leave • Copies issued to all teachers and to new teachers on appointment
Background • Direct Costs • Statutory Sick Pay • Occupational Sick Pay • Cost to the school • 3 teachers – 1st 10 Days • 4+ teachers – 1st 20 days • Indirect Costs • Effect on pupils’ education • Effect on colleagues • Parental concerns – lack of confidence • Management difficulties – sub-cover for certain subjects • Poor morale and Temporary staff
Aims of the Policy • To ensure staff are treated fairly, consistently and with sensitivity during times of illness • To standardise absence management • To inform all teachers of Policy and Procedures • To promote and enhance an attendance culture • To raise awareness of CCMS Welfare Service
Roles & Responsibilities • CCMS • To advise and assist Boards of Governors and Principals in managing attendance • To identify trends and patterns to help inform decision making and future policy
Roles & Responsibilities • Board of Governors • Overall responsibility to ensure effective management of the attendance of all teachers in the school • To ensure that the Principal applies the procedures in a fair and equitable manner • To review staff attendance on a termly basis
Roles & Responsibilities • Principal • To implement the Procedure in a fair and equitable manner • To ensure effective communication and consultation takes place when applying the procedure • To ensure that due respect is given to the confidentiality of sensitive information
Roles & Responsibilities • Teachers • To care for his/her physical capacity and mental well being • To familiarise themselves with the Policy and Procedures • To comply with the communication requirements of the Procedures
Categories of Absenteeism • Short-Term • Frequent minor absence – one & two days • Persistent Intermittent • Regular short and / or long term absence • Long-Term • Chronic or acute illness of at least 4 weeks duration
Managing Attendance • Role of Teacher – At Start of Absence • If unfit, must personally or make arrangements to notify Principal / designated person asap as per local procedures or at least 1 hour before school starts • Give explanation of the absence • Give likely duration (if possible)
Managing Attendance • Role of Teacher - Documentary Evidence • Up to three days – School Form SA3 • Between 4 and 7 Days – Self Cert Form CCU67 • Over 7 Days – Medical Certificate • Over 14 consecutive days – Signing off Line • 4 Weeks or more – 1 week’s notice to return
Managing Attendance • Role of Teacher - On return to work • Contact Principal upon return – 1st day • Give brief explanation of the reasons • Attend meetings (formal / informal) • Undergo medical examination – if required
Managing Attendance • Role of Principal • Implement Policy • Communicate Procedures • Ensure Attendance is a regular feature on Agendas – BoG, SMT, Staff Meetings • Maintain contact whilst teacher is on sick leave • Interview teachers on return to work • Keep records – copy medical certs and forward originals to Teachers’ Salaries Branch • Review all staff attendance on a regular basis • Convene and conduct formal consultative interviews
Managing Attendance • Triggers • Consultation interviews take place if any of the following take place: • 8+ casual days in a rolling 12 month period • 3+ days x 3+ periods in a rolling 12 month period • 4 weeks or more continuous absence • 5% or more absence rates
Managing Attendance • Formal Consultation Meeting • Takes place if triggers occur • Notify teacher in writing giving reasons, absence details & right of representation • Teacher given opportunity to discuss problems and offered advice and support • Highlight consequences of continued high levels of absence • Record kept and formal letter issued
Managing Attendance • Monitoring Attendance • Early detection of Problems • Prompt resolution • Good management practice • Assists with planning • Management of finances
Summary • Support and assist staff • Fair, consistent and sensitive treatment • Communication • Monitoring • Effective school management