May was a big milestone for our campaign - Maddie and I met with our respective MPs, Department of Education representatives, and Schools Minister, Nick Gibb.

Overall it was a productive meeting, a real (and rare) opportunity to share the lived experience of families at the highest levels of government on how Attendance Guidance can negatively affect some families.

Minister Gibb and DfE representatives showed genuine interest, and we felt listened to. We reiterated our focus - fining and prosecution for families of unwell children are happening, even when Guidance doesn't intend it to.

We took away an action to share further information on lived experiences of fines and prosecutions, best practices and suggestions for additions to Guidance.
   
Overall, the day felt like progress in the right direction. Of listening and understanding and being heard as parents. We hope the Minister and the Department for Education will keep the conversation going and for some positive changes in relation to unfair school attendance fines and prosecution; these simply shouldn't apply when children can't attend school.

Until next time...

Maddie and Susan x