Article: School attendance and absence Article Body The council considers that school attendance and its improvement are an integral part of the raising achievement agenda and therefore is committed to an ongoing programme of support, working in partnership with schools, to achieve improved attendance levels across the borough We have a statutory responsibility to ensure that parents and carers with children of statutory school age, make sure they receive a full time education appropriate to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. This duty is discharged through the work and support of the Education Welfare Service. When children or young people are on the roll of a school, and have an unacceptable level of absence, and the difficulty has not been resolved by the intervention of the school, they may be referred to the named Education Welfare Officer for that school. Similarly, if a parent fails to secure a school place for their child, and is not educating otherwise than at school, the Education Welfare Service has a responsibility to ensure that the parent/carer registers their child at a school. The service works closely with students, parents/carers, schools and other agencies to restore attendance and any parent/carer worried about their child's attendance, should first contact the named Education Welfare Officer through his or her school. What you can do to help your child have good attendance Teach them the importance of good attendance and punctuality Show an interest in their education - ask about what they're doing at school Encourage them to get involved in school activities Encourage them to tell you about any problems they may have at school - inform their teacher or headteacher about anything serious Don't let them take time off school for minor ailments - particularly those which would not prevent you from going to work Where possible, make appointments after school, at weekends or during school holidays Try to take family holidays outside of term time. Section 444(1), Education Act 1996 Parents and carers can be fined for failing to ensure their children attend regularly at a school where they are registered pupils. Fines can be up to a maximum of £1,000 (level three) per parent per child plus costs. In considering the level of the fine, the magistrates must take into consideration the means of the offender to pay. Where parents/carers have previously been found guilty of failure to ensure their child's regular school attendance, and it has been necessary to consider further action to secure regular school attendance for that child, it may be necessary to take this matter back to court under Section 444 (1A). This is an aggravated offence which could result in a fine of £2,500 (level four) per parent per child plus costs or a three months prison sentence. In considering this level of fine, the magistrates must take into consideration the means of the offender to pay. Education supervision order (ESO) A young person can be made the subject of an Education Supervision Order for persistent failure to attend school. This order empowers the supervising officer to advise, support and give direction to the supervised child and his/her parent(s) in such a way as to ensure that the child is properly educated. These directions must be defined by the council and should aim to be helpful in bringing about an improvement in the child's attendance. For example, the council could direct the parent to attend meetings at the school over the period of the ESO, require the parent/child to keep the council informed of their address, or require the parent to attend parenting classes. In Barnsley, the supervising officer is an Education Welfare Officer. School attendance order (SAO) This order may be used to direct the parent to send their child to a specified school. A SAO should be used when a pupil is not on roll at any school. If the parent does not comply with the order, a fine may be imposed in the magistrates court. Parenting orders These orders may be made against parents, or guardians, to help them address the young person's offending behaviour or failure to attend school. Parents may be obliged to attend counselling or guidance sessions for up to three months, or to exercise particular controls over their children. Breach of the order is a criminal offence. Fixed penalty notices The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 allows the council to issue Penalty Notices in cases of unauthorised absences from school, and as such it supplements the existing sanctions under Section 444 (1), Education Act 1996. Penalty Notices are considered appropriate in the following circumstances: truancy, parentally-condoned absences, unauthorised holidays in term-time, excluded pupils found in a public place during school hours, and persistent late arrival for school. For a Penalty Notice to be issued there must be a minimum of ten sessions/ five full days of unauthorised absence by the pupil in any one term. In cases other than unauthorised holiday absence, the liable parent or carer will receive a formal warning of the possibility of a Penalty Notice being issued and given 15 school days to effect an improvement in the child's overall school attendance. If paid within the first 28 days, the fine is £50 per child; if not it increases to £100 per child. Refusal to pay will result in the matter being brought before the courts. Policies Attendance Strategy - Policy Guidance for Schools Children Missing Education - Guidance for Schools and the Education Service Promoting Good Attendance at Schools and Nursery Settings Reducing and Preventing Persistent Absence - A Guide for Schools Reducing and Preventing Persistent Absence - Analysis Workbook Elective Home Education by Parents - Policy Guidance for Schools Equalities impact assessment Equalities impact assessment of the school attendance strategy Legislation Section 444(1), Education Act 1996 Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 Children and Young Persons Act 1933 Children and Young Persons Act 1963 Children and Young Persons Act 1989 Pupil Registration Regulations 1995 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Quality Protects Initiative DOH 1998 Related links Further information is available by calling the telephone numbers listed previously or on the following websites: Teachernet - school attendance Directgov - school attendance, absence and your child How to contact us You should contact the Education Welfare Officer through your child's school or by contacting: Education Welfare Service Directorate for Children, Young People and Families Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG Telephone: 01226 773543/ 773547/ 773191/ 773545 Monday to Thursday from 8.30am - 5.00pm and Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Email: cypf@barnsley.gov.uk