How important do you think each of the following elements of effective practice, identified in the 2009 DTS Evaluation, are to the delivery of an effective Attendance Service?

Organisational systems, structures and policies; Skills and capability of an Attendance Advisor; Engagement with families/whānau/extended whanau;  Engagement with schools; Relationship with wider community? 
(All marked as ‘Essential’)
What additional elements of effective practice do you think are important?
The Attendance Service should attend Network meetings within their communities. (Or start them)
This allows knowledge of organisations within their allotted District areas for referral (if need be) 
This also allows knowledge of other services who may be able to help students to re-engage back into education.
All services should have an effective recording system for officers & students purely as a 'safety' aspect.
Identification is important, as in the past there have been people in the community posing as Truancy Officers, some attempting to abduct students.
The softening of the name from 'Attendance Adviser' from 'Truancy Officer' is NOT a good idea, as the school has already (If implemented correctly) had contact, meetings, interventions with Caregiver/Whanau prior to a referral to 'Attendance Service'. 
The name is synonymous with authority. It would be like changing the 'Police' to 'Community Liaison Person'. It has taken this Service over 10 years to build a reputation on its name. 
To remove it is senseless & I would argue if those trying to make the change actually know what they are doing.
The following outcomes are included in the two Attendance Pilot contracts. Please indicate to what extent you agree that these are important for effective service delivery?
A successful integration of NETS and DTS into one integrated service (Not Important);
Strong collaboration between the service, schools, the community and inter-agency services (Essential)
Responsive to the needs of Māori and Pasifika students, and their families/whānau and community (Important)
Early response, action and follow up of referrals (Essential)

The following have been identified as the essential (first six) and desirable (last six) competencies for the new Attendance Advisor position.
How important do you think each of these competencies are?
Ability to work with students, families/whānau in ways that value their identity, language and culture(Important)
An in-depth knowledge of the community (Essential)
Experience working with young people including knowledge of adolescent behaviours (Very Important)
Ability to communicate effectively with students, families/whānau, school staff and other agencies. (Essential)
Confidential and discreet. (Essential)
Efficient case management and administration skills. (Essential)
Competent in Te Reo Māori. (Not important)

Knowledge of mana whenua in connection to the community. (Very Important)
Pro-active and determined. (Essential)
Approachable and accessible. (Essential)
Non-judgmental, non-threatening and neutral. (Essential)

What do you think are the most important issues to consider in the establishment of a new integrated Attendance Service from 2012?

The need for defined rolls of operation. 

• In the past you have had NETS Officers who are very different from a DTS Officer with a differing roll, though both DTS & NETS Officers communicate during a student process (In this area).
  

• The Truancy Service (DTS Concept) was developed in 1997, with each DTS deciding on the 'focus' for their areas, within the legal requirements of: Safety of Students/worker's under s31 Education Act 1989. Clear links with schools etc..(Red Book; District Truancy Services - Guidelines for Good Practice).
  

• The CTDTS has good recognition from the Community, Family/Whanau and surrounding Services. This needs to be maintained.
  
• The CTDTS has a good code of practice developed over 10 years. This needs to be maintained.
  
• The CTDTS works closely with Rock On  (Youth Aide Police) (Introduced by me STDTS and CTDTS) This needs to be maintained.
  

• The CTDTS and other Taranaki DTS's work within a 'school environment'. The Officer will 'know' the students. This should be maintained 
  

• Some DTS's (South Taranaki STDTS) combine the DTS  with an  'Attendance Officer' (In Schools) within key Schools (STDTS has two) this enables the Service to maintain a 'monitoring roll' on attendance of students within its 'core schools'
  

Personally I think the integration of the DTS/NETS in the Taranaki area will be detrimental to the work that has been done in this area over the past 10+ years.
The attendance problems in this country have been 'off set' through problems in the 'Central Auckland' and 'Gisborne' areas. (2007 I believe)
I am unsure about the Central Auckland area, but I am aware that Gisborne has NOT operated a correct DTS for the past 8 years.
I have little understanding why a change is needed in areas that are 'proven to work' because a few areas in NZ are failing.
I would suggest that you operate your 'New Service' within those areas. (Central Auckland/Gisborne) 

• All areas are unique, and what may work in one community, may NOT work in another. Don't make the mistake of 'cloning for all'.
  

Is your DTS interested in being part of the new integrated Attendance Service from 2012? (Yes) (1)
Would your DTS be prepared to amalgamate with other DTS providers in your area? (Yes)
Please tell us if you have any additional comments.

• The DTS's throughout NZ in the past have suggested a 'National Data Base' this would be a great tool if implemented. 
  

1. Your question is interesting…'Is your DTS interested in being part of the new integrated Attendance Service from 2012'? 
   

• what if ALL the DTS’s throughout NZ said NO!  - There is also NO Box for comment.
  
• All DTS’s in NZ will be interested in a NEW Service if there is NO Choice…our passion is the continuance of our services for the students.
  

I find it very dictatorial. (1)

This service would be happy to integrate with STDTS. (South Taranaki DTS)  I cannot speak for NTDTS (North Taranaki DTS) They are also a City Area, very different from a rural sector. A very different geographical area.

Stephan P Dyer Snr Truancy Officer CTDTS and STDTS