A youth charity believes the Government's taking courageous steps, to tackle chronic school absence.

Ministry of Education data shows more than one thousand students weren't enrolled in school for more than a year in 2024 - a 576 percent increase on a decade ago.

Graeme Dingle Foundation CEO Jo Malcolm-Black told Andrew Dickens it's good to see the Government is wanting to tackle the problem.

She says early intervention and consistent support reduces the risk of disengagement.

Malcolm-Black hopes schools, social services and community organisations will support the Government's approach.