Parents: What are the Consequences of your Child Missing School?
As the new school year is now fully underway, many parents and pupils may be feeling apprehensive about being absent from school as, from August this year, new government legislation has introduced increased fines for parents whose children are absent from school without authorisation.
The changes have come about ‘in a bid to discourage repeat absences and families taking holidays during term time’. The National Center for Education Statistics report that ‘students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance’ and that ‘the relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child’s school career’. You might be wondering what these changes mean for your child, and how you can ensure that you are not fined or prosecuted.
When could you receive a fine?
As of August this year schools across the country can now impose increased fines on the parents of any child who has missed 10 or more sessions during a 10 week period without authorisation. This is the first increase since 2012 and falls in line with inflation. A ‘session’ is defined as either a morning, or afternoon, so 10 sessions equate to 5 full school days.
How much could you be fined?
Initially, parents will be issued with a fine of £80 that is payable within 21 days. If the 21 days expires, a fine of £160 will then be payable. However, if any parent receives a second fine in respect of the same child’s repeated absence within a 3 year period, any further fines ‘will be charged at the higher rate of £160’.
However, parents will not receive more than 2 fines for the same child, instead there are more serious consequences. Any parent who exceeds the two fine limit and whose child continues to be absent from school without permission may be subject to the various legal powers of the local councils or school. For example, a Parenting Order or an Education Supervision Order, as well as prosecution. A prosecution may result in ‘a fine of up to £2,500, a community order or a jail sentence up to 3 months’.
How do you request for an absence to be authorised?
Any parent can make contact with their child’s school to request that an upcoming absence is authorised. However, not all absences will be authorised. Absences that are typically authorised include illness, exceptional circumstances, religious observance, among others.
Things to remember:
- If you know that your child is due to be absent from school, you can request permission from the school beforehand.
- Not all requested absences will be authorised.
- Fines are a last resort. The local council and/or school will offer support to help improve your child’s absence first.
- If your child has a long-term medical condition, disability or any special educational needs, ensure that the school is aware so that the correct support structures are in place.
How can Ellis Jones help you?
If you are facing a fine or prosecution caused by your child’s unauthorised absence/s and would like to seek legal advice, our expert James Constable in the Crime and Regulatory team can offer a reliable service to those with alleged or proven offences.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing James.Constable@ellisjones.co.uk or via our online website enquiry form.
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