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02/07/2003
Prosecuting parents of truants is working, government claims
Prosecuting the parents of persistent truants is encouraging them to improve their child's school attendance, the government has claimed.
Feedback from 21 local education authorities operating the new 'Fast track to prosecution' process shows that in its first six months almost 1,500 parents of persistent truants were given the chance to improve their child's school attendance or face legal action.
In the end only half of the cases needed to reach the courts as the parents, faced with the prospect of prosecution, engaged with local educational welfare services to get their children back into school, the government said.
Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education said: "For those parents who deliberately condone or encourage their child's truancy, the message is clear - prosecution works."
The figures were revealed alongside the publication of new guidance on tackling truancy and ensuring regular school attendance.
The guidance is intended to help education welfare officers and magistrates understand support strategies and legal measures that can be used to encourage parents to take their responsibilities seriously and get their children back into school.
In cases where it is appropriate, it will also help them to prosecute truancy cases more efficiently and effectively, said the minister.
(GMcG)
Feedback from 21 local education authorities operating the new 'Fast track to prosecution' process shows that in its first six months almost 1,500 parents of persistent truants were given the chance to improve their child's school attendance or face legal action.
In the end only half of the cases needed to reach the courts as the parents, faced with the prospect of prosecution, engaged with local educational welfare services to get their children back into school, the government said.
Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education said: "For those parents who deliberately condone or encourage their child's truancy, the message is clear - prosecution works."
The figures were revealed alongside the publication of new guidance on tackling truancy and ensuring regular school attendance.
The guidance is intended to help education welfare officers and magistrates understand support strategies and legal measures that can be used to encourage parents to take their responsibilities seriously and get their children back into school.
In cases where it is appropriate, it will also help them to prosecute truancy cases more efficiently and effectively, said the minister.
(GMcG)
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Parents of truants could be fined up to £100 from tomorrow for failing to get their child into school. The fine - to be imposed as an alternative to prosecution - is part of a package of powers to tackle misbehaviour in schools and anti-social behaviour on the streets.
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