Fixed Penalty Notices
Fixed penalty notices for non-school attendance
The
Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced new powers for local education
authorities, (delivered in Islington by CEA@Islington), headteachers (or
authorized deputy and assistant heads) and the police to issue penalty notices
in cases of unauthorised absence from school.
Regular and punctual attendance at school is both a legal requirement and
essential for pupils to maximize their educational opportunities. In law, an
offence occurs if a parent fails to secure their child’s attendance at school
and that absence is not authorised by the school. Penalty notices supplement
the existing sanctions currently available under S444 Education Act 1996 or
S36 Children Act 1989 to enforce attendance at school where appropriate.
Penalty notices are suitable for use where there is a reasonable expectation
of a parent’s ability for causing improvement, and where parents are not
co-operating in those measures being offered or recommended to improve the
pupil’s attendance. Penalty notices are to be seen as a useful sanction at an
early stage of intervention before attendance problems become entrenched (
see apprach to statutory action). The issuing of penalty notices will be
based on clear threshold criteria which will need to be applied consistently
and equitably across the borough’s schools. Any person authorised to issue a
notice in Islington must comply with the guidance set out in this
code of conduct.
A leaflet for parents has been produced on fixed penalty notices.
For more information please contact either:
Sue Greenwell
Senior Education Welfare Service Team Manager
Laycock Street
London N1 1TH
Tel: 020 7527 5621
e-mail:
sue.greenwell.cea@islington.gov.uk
or
Ian Norman-Bruce
Head of EW&SWS
CEA@Islington
Lough Road
London
N7 8RH
Tel: 020 7527 5843
E-Mail:
ian.norman-bruce.cea@islington.gov.uk