Responsibilities of Parents
- If a child does not attend school regularly, parents should work closely with the school and any assigned Education Welfare Officer, to resolve the problem.
- Parents found guilty of school attendance offences could be subject to a penalty of up to £2,500 and/or a period of imprisonment for up to three months.
- Headteachers can encourage a good working relationship with parents by regularly publicising the arrrangements for notifying absence and the schools policy towards authorised / unauthorised absence.
What happens when school attendance is poor?
- The school will refer a child/young person to the EWS if their attendance is causing concern
- The Education Welfare Officer will contact the parent/carer and support them in trying to improve their attendance
What happens if your child's attendance does not improve?
If there is no improvement the EWO will have to:
- ask you to attend a meeting at your child's school or visit you at your home
- write to you formally explaining the school's concerns and offer you the opportunity of support and guidance
- convene a Parenting Contract Meeting at which targets for attendance improvement will be set
What does the school do?
- The school will keep a parent informed if there are concerns about a pupil's attendance
- They will advise a parent/carer when they make a referral to the EWS
- The school will work in partnership with the parent/carer, the EWO and any other agencies involved with the family
Court Action
The Education Welfare Service undertakes proceedings on behalf of the Local Authority, in respect of parents who do not ensure their children's regular attendance at school or enrol them at school or otherwise.
- The EWS works in partnership with pupils, parents, school staff and other relevant parties, about attendance at school or other alternative educational provision
- The use of legal action against parents is considered as part of a planned intervention with families
- The EWS ensures accountability for cases taken to court and liaises with schools concerning such cases
- The EWS offers information to parents and pupils about rights and responsibilities concerning attendance and the legal process, during any intervention with a family.
