A Middleton mother has praised a council run workshop designed to help families tackle persistent school absence, after seeing a marked improvement in her daughter’s attendance.
Kersty Rothwell, 36, said she was struggling to cope with her daughter Evie’s behaviour and school refusal before attending the programme run by Rochdale Borough Council’s education welfare service.
The workshop offers tailored guidance to parents and carers whose children are frequently absent from school. It focuses on improving communication, building confidence and helping families understand the factors behind absence, alongside practical steps such as establishing routines and modelling positive behaviour.
Kersty described reaching a breaking point before seeking help. “I was depressed and I couldn't cope,” she said. “I had to come out of full time work. I was getting constant phone calls from school asking me to pick her up.”
Evie, who is awaiting assessment for autism and ADHD, often refused to attend school due to anxiety and would make herself feel unwell to avoid going in. Kersty said she felt unable to challenge the behaviour due to her own mental health and neurodiversity.
After seeing the workshop advertised on social media, she attended a session involving professionals from the education welfare service, SEND advice service SENDIASS, early help teams and Rochdale Parent Carer Voice.
“I was so overwhelmed with the help that they had offered me,” she said. “Every single member round that table helped me in some kind of way.”
Support included a review of Evie’s education health and care plan to ensure her needs were being met in school, alongside strategies to help Kersty respond more confidently to attendance issues.
By applying the advice at home, Kersty said she began to see improvements in both behaviour and their relationship. Evie’s school attendance has since increased from 82 percent to 94 percent.
“I'm not getting letters anymore,” she said. “I'm getting lovely messages from school saying how well she's doing.”
Evie, now in year 10, is preparing to choose her GCSE options. Kersty said this was something she previously thought would not be possible.
She also reported wider benefits, including improved friendships and greater engagement with school life.
Kersty said the changes have had a positive impact on her own wellbeing. She has since joined a local parent carer group and hopes to return to work supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education, said the programme is helping families rebuild relationships and improve outcomes.
“Being a parent is never easy, and as a mum of two children myself, I know the challenges it can bring,” she said. “This workshop is making a massive impact on people’s lives, not only by improving children's school attendance but in giving families an opportunity to reset and rebuild relationships with each other.”
The council said attendance among some participating families has improved by up to 20 percent. Two groups have completed the workshop so far, supporting 11 families.
Families interested in taking part can contact the council’s education welfare service for further information.
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