1. Purpose

This policy sets out expectations and procedures for young people taking part in Knuckle Down sessions delivered in schools. Regular attendance and full engagement support the personal, social and developmental benefits of the programme.

 

2. Principles

• Commitment — consistent attendance helps young people get the most out of a programme.

• Respect — attending regularly respects the time of coaches, peers, and the school.

• Support — barriers to attendance are recognised and, where possible, supported rather than simply penalised.

• Responsibility — young people are encouraged to take ownership of their engagement.

 

3. Expectations

• Young people are expected to attend every scheduled Knuckle Down session that forms part of their timetable or programme, unless there's a valid reason for absence.

• Participants are expected to arrive on time and take part for the full session.

• Because sessions are delivered within the school day or as part of a school-organised programme, attendance is recorded and managed primarily through the school's own attendance systems and procedures.

• Knuckle Down coaches record attendance at each session and share this with the school's designated contact.

 

4. Reporting Absences

Where a young person is expected but does not attend, the coach flags this to the school's designated staff member during or immediately after the session — the school leads on any follow-up with the young person or their parent/carer, since it holds the primary safeguarding and welfare relationship.

 

5. Monitoring

• Attendance across a programme is monitored by Knuckle Down and shared with the school on a regular basis.

• Where a pattern of low attendance or disengagement is noticed, Knuckle Down raises this with the school so it can be addressed jointly — for example, through a conversation with the young person, or input from the school's pastoral team.

• Knuckle Down does not independently suspend a young person from a programme for non-attendance; any such decision is made jointly with the school.

 

6. Recognition

Where appropriate, Knuckle Down celebrates strong attendance and engagement — for example, through positive feedback to the young person and school, or informal recognition at the end of a programme — to encourage motivation and consistency.

 

7. Safeguarding and Welfare

Any absence that raises a welfare concern (for example, an unexplained or unusual pattern of absence) is treated as a potential safeguarding matter and reported to the DSL and the school, in line with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. A young person's safety and wellbeing always takes priority over attendance tracking itself.

 

8. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually.