This article focuses on the response from a specially constructed questionnaire which was completed by 431 education social workers/education welfare officers located throughout England and Wales in 2005. The findings are supported by interview data obtained from fifty-nine education social workers/education welfare officers in selected local education authorities on a one-to-one basis. The findings indicate that education social workers believe that more alternative and vocational curriculum schemes are required to improve pupils' attendance. Around a third of respondents considered they were in the best position to help truants and absentees reintegrate back into school. The five issues perceived as most seriously handicapping the successful management of truancy and non-attendance were: parents condoning their children's absence; socio-economic factors; parents taking pupils out of school for holidays during term time; the lack of an alternative/vocational curriculum; pupils' low self-esteem/low expectations. The findings are discussed in the light of prevailing policy and practice and the need for further research.