• Services and Support
• Pupil attendance
• • Allocation of EWS staff and services
  • Attendance Data
  • Education otherwise than at school
  • EWS Quality Standards
  • Fixed Penalty Notices
  • Guidance for schools
  • Referrals to EWS
  • Statutory action for non-school attendance
  • Strategy and partnership
  • Truancy watch

Truancy watch

Truancy Patrols
Officers from Islington Education Welfare Service and the Metropolitan Police Service carry out regular joint patrols to identify parents/carers who are keeping their children away from school. The law requires that where a child is registered at a school then they must attend every day unless they have a justifiable reason for absence. Keeping children out of school to help with shopping or younger children is not acceptable. Visits to the doctor and dentist should be arranged outside of school hours whenever possible.

Islington’s secondary schools operate an ‘authorised absence pass’ system. When a pupil leaves the school building during the day they must obtain a pass. This gives them permission to be out of school.

A young person who is not in school:

• Misses out on a proper education

• Is more likely to be at risk and become involved in crime.
  

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 gives a police officer the power to take a child or young person, whom they have reasonable cause to believe is of compulsory school age and is absent from school without authority, back to school or to another place designated by the Local Education Authority.

The Education Welfare Service operates within the framework of assessment and support and will endeavour to work with pupils and families to deal with the difficulties experienced in attending school. However, it remains the responsibility of the parent to ensure their child receives education and where there is evidence to show a parent is condoning a child’s absence legal action may be considered.

Failure to do so can result in the Education Authority taking legal action.  This action may result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being served or an appearance in the Magistrates Court resulting in a fine of up to £2,500 and/or a Parenting Order. 

If your child is experiencing difficulties in attending school and either you or your child would like to speak to someone, please call the Education Welfare Service on 7527 5840

Leaflets have been produced

Explaining truancy patrols

Advice for parents on ensuring attendance

Advice for children on importance of regular attendance

For more information please contact either:

Sandra Langford-Rose
Community Attendance Officer
CEA@Islington
Laycock Street
London N1 1TH
Tel: 020 7527 5979
e-mail: sandra.langford-rose.cea@islington.gov.uk

or

Sue Greenwell
Senior Education Welfare Service Team Manager
CEA@Islington
Laycock Street
London N1 1TH
Tel: 020 7527 5621
e-mail: sue.greenwell.cea@islington.gov.uk

or

Ian Norman-Bruce
Head of Education Welfare & Social Work Service
CEA@Islington
Lough Road
London
N7 8RH
Tel: 020 7527 5843
E-Mail: ian.norman-bruce.cea@islington.gov.uk