• Explain your expectations to the school community via newsletter, induction pack or community meeting. 
    • You require a response as soon as possible by calling the school or texting 
    • If caregivers do not have credit to text or call, they must find a landline 
    • Make caregivers aware of school policy e.g. if they do not respond, students will be marked as truant  
  • Make it simple – especially for those who may not have credit on their phones. Replies to these texts are not included in free text plans. Therefore, phone users will require credit in order to text a reply. Some people don’t have credit because they have a plan that includes so many texts, so many minutes and limited data. If that is the situation, encourage these caregivers to use their free minutes to call the school or to find a landline and call the school. To support such caregivers: 
    • Provide an office mobile number 
    • Consider an 0800 number