The DfE is consulting on more prescriptive absence rules, ordering schools to be ‘proactive’ and councils to use their ‘full range of legal powers’ The DfE is consulting on more prescriptive absence rules, ordering schools to be ‘proactive’ and councils to use their ‘full range of legal powers’ The government is set to order councils to use their “full range of legal powers” to tackle absence and place new duties on schools and trusts, including publishing improvement plans.