Best Foot Forward understands that there is an established link between the home learning environment at all ages and children’s performance at school.

Schools, parents and Best Foot Forward have a shared priority to deliver the best outcomes for their children.

Working effectively with parents can be challenging, and is likely to require sustained effort and support. This is where Best Foot Forward can help.

Best Foot Forward plan (in collaboration with school and home) and monitor progress towards defined aims.

Our Attendance Interventions Pyramid highlights the range of support that we can offer in improving student attendance as well as the flexibility that we can offer in selecting the most effective interventions for any one student. 

Please see below for more details.

Best Foot Forward encourage a consistent approach to behaviour between parents and the school, for example, by sharing expectations with parents.

Communication should be two-way: consulting with parents about how they can be involved is likely to be valuable and increase the effectiveness of home-school relationships. Currently around half of parents say that they have not been consulted.

School communications may be particularly important for engaging some parents who could play an important role but may have less contact with school.

Parents are supported to work with their children by encouraging them to set goals, plan, and manage their time, effort, and emotions. This type of support can help children to regulate their own learning.

The Best Foot Forward Attendance programme can start with a home visit to families. This helps:

to get a sense of the pupil at home;

to explain to parents and carers the aims of the project (acknowledging that they may need some support as well); and

to build a positive bridge between home and school.

We start by assessing needs and talking to parents about what would help them support attendance: targeting is likely to be needed to use resources effectively and avoid widening gaps.

​Best Foot Forward staff communicate carefully to avoid stigmatising, blaming, or discouraging parents. We focus on building parents’ efficacy — that they are equal partners and can make a difference.

Best Foot Forward believe that offering a more structured, evidence-based programme can help to develop positive behaviour and consistency, where needs are greater.

We plan carefully for group-based student initiatives (such as regular workshops). A convenient time and location, building trusting relationships, and an informal, welcoming environment are the most important factors for students to attend group sessions.

Best Foot Forward offer regular home visits for younger children with greater needs. We believe this can be an effective approach for parents that struggle to attend meetings, and for building relationships.

Best Foot Forward are more than happy to take the lead from the school / referring agent in putting together the most effective intervention package for a young person.