Wales Attendance Framework

8/2/2019 Wales Attendance Framework

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Fframwaith Presenoldeb ar gyfer Cymru GyfanArweinlyfr gweithredol ir Gwasanaeth Lles Addysg

All Wales Attendance Framework

An operating toolkit for the Education Welfare Service


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ISBN 978 0 7504 5873 3

Hawlfraint y Goron 2011

Crown copyright 2011

WAG 10-10733

F1181011


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Table of contents

Foreword iii MissionStatementfortheEducationWelfareService iv

Aboutthistoolkit v

Section 1: Guidance and Standards

Part 1: The Education Welfare Service

a. RoleoftheEducationWelfareService 1

b. EWSvaluesandprinciples 2

c. InductionandrecommendedIn-ServiceTraining 3

d. Workingwithschools 4

e. Engagingandworkingwithparents 6

f. ServiceLevelAgreements 7

g. Recordkeeping 7

h. Thereferralprocess 8

Part 2: Guidance on the legal powers to Secure Regular

School Attendance in Walesa. Denitions 13

b. Roles&responsibilities 14

Parent 14

School 14

Localauthority 15

c. SchoolAttendanceOrders 15

d. FailuretocomplywithaSchoolAttendanceOrder 18

e. EducationSupervisionOrder 19

f. Failuretoensureregularschoolattendance-section444(1) 21

g. Failuretoensureregularschoolattendance-section444(1A) 22

h. Failuretoensureregularattendanceatalternativeprovision-Section444(ZA) 23

i. ParentingContracts 24

j. ParentingOrders 26

k. AmendmentstolegislationrelatingtoParentingContracts

andParentingOrders 28

l. Prosecutionguidanceandpolicies 29

m.Decisiontoprosecute 29

n. ThePoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984(PACE) 31


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o. Disclosures 35

p. Prosectuionprocess 36

q. Sentencingoptionsavailabletothecourt 38

r. Exclusions:Thelegalaspects 40

Part 3: Attendance Data Analysis

a. Schoolattendancecodes 41

b. Statisticalinformation 43

c. AllWalesCoreDataSets 43

d. Analysis 44

e. Disseminationofdata 47

f. SelfEvaluationTool-AttendanceGoodPracticeChecklist 48

Part 4: Procedures and Practical Application

a. Safeguardingandchildprotection 53

b. Employment/Performances 54

c. Childrenmissingeducation 60

d. GypsyandTravellerchildren 60

e. GoodpracticeguidelinesforTruancySweeps 61

f. ChildandAdolescentMentalHealthServices(CAMHS) 72

g. PupilswithAdditionalLearningNeeds(ALN) 73

h. YouthOffendingService(YOS) 73

i. Familyholidaysduringtermtime 74

j. Extendedoverseastrips 75

k. Absencefortrivialmedicalreasons 76

l. LookedAfterChildren(LAC) 77

m.Electivehomeeducation 78

n. Advocacy 80

o. Unlawfulexclusions 80

p. Condentiality/Complaints 82

Section 2: Exemplar Materials

Tableofcontents

CD

Section 3: Strategies for schools to improve attendance

and manage lateness


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Foreword

1. TheWelshAssemblyGovernmentspoliciesforchildrenandyoungpeoplehavetheir

basisintheUnitedNationsConventionontheRightsoftheChild(UNCRC).Webelieveit isvitalthatchildrenandyoungpeoplehaveaccesstoappropriateandeffective

learningopportunitiesandprovision.Anybarrierstolearningneedtobeidentiedearly

andremoved,sothatchildrenandyoungpeoplecanengageineducationalprovision

theyneedtoachievetheirfullpotential.

2. Achildssuccessatschoolislikelytobeaffectednegativelybypoorattendance.

Those whodonotattendregularlymaynotbeabletokeepupwiththeirworkandin

a busyschooldayitcansometimesbedifcultforschoolstondtheextratimeneeded

tohelpachildcatchup.Inaddition,researchshowsthatchildrenwhoarenotinschool

aremorevulnerableandcanbeeasilydrawnintocrimeandanti-socialbehaviourandare

morelikelytobeunemployedafterleavingschool.

3. Improvingbehaviourandattendanceisanintegralpartofourwidereducational

initiativessuchastheFoundationPhaseand14-19LearningPathways.Theseinitiatives

aimtoensurethatchildrenandyoungpeopledonotbecomedisengagedfrom

educationbyensuringthatprovisionissuitabletotheirindividualneeds.

4. AttendancewithinthecontextoftheSchoolEffectivenessFrameworkisakeywhole

schoolimprovementissueandhasastrongdirectrelationshipwiththeattainment

ofindividualsandgroupsofstudentsandthestandardstherebyachievedbytheschool.Throughtheself-evaluationprocessattendancestrategiescanbeassessed

and enhanced.

5. InMarch2009,wepublishedBehavingandAttending:ActionPlanRespondingtothe

NationalBehaviourandAttendanceReview.ThroughtheActionPlanweaimtocreate

a cultureofearlyintervention,effectivesupportandwaystoembedanddisseminate

goodpracticetopromotepositivebehaviourandattendanceinschoolsacrossWales.

6. AkeyactioninthePlanwastoproduceanAttendanceFrameworkforWalesin

partnershipwiththeEducationWelfareService(EWS).Theresultingdocument

provides standardsandguidanceforpractitionerstoensuregreaterconsistencyof

practicethroughoutWales.ItalsoaimstoenabletheEWSandschoolstodeliverservices

that areconsistent,accessibleandofahighstandard.Mostimportantlyitisintended

tobeapracticalresourcetoolkitforusebystaffworkingwithintheEducationWelfare

Service.


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7. Thisdocumentdrawsontheexperience,knowledgeandexpertiseofcolleaguesacross

WalesbroughttogetherbyaworkinggroupofthefollowingEWSManagers:

GerwynMatthews Wrexham

JohnGould NeathPortTalbot

JackieMorton RCT

JohnJenkins Cardiff

NoellaRoberts Conwy

8. Thefollowinglegislation,guidelinesanddocumentsunderpintheinformation

and guidancecontainedinthistoolkit:

EducationAct1996

ChildrenAct1989

ChildrenAct2004

EducationandInspectionsAct2006

SENCodeofPracticeforWales2004

TheLearningCountryandLearningCountryII:VisionintoAction,WAG(2006)

SchoolEffectivenessFramework

NationalServiceFrameworkforChildren,YoungPeopleandMaternityServices

in Wales,WAG(2005)

ChildrenandYoungPeoplesWorkforceDevelopmentStrategy

BehavingandAttending:ActionPlanRespondingtotheNationalBehaviourand

AttendanceReview,WAG(2009) InclusionandPupilSupport,WAGCircular47/2006

ExclusionfromSchoolsandPupilReferralUnits,WAGCircular001/2004

ImprovingAttendance2006,Estyn

Education(AdmissionofLookedAfterChildren)(Wales)Regulations2009

Servicesforchildrenandyoungpeoplewithemotionalandmentalhealthneeds,

WalesAuditOfceandHealthcareInspectorateWales,2009

9. Aspartofthedevelopmentofthistoolkittheworkinggroupfeltitimportanttoinclude

aMissionStatementwhichclearlysetsoutthevisionandvaluesforanEducationWelfareService.ThegroupproposethefollowingStatementwhichyoumaywishto adopt.

Mission Statement for the Education Welfare Service

10. TheEducationWelfareService(EWS)willaimtoprovideprofessional,qualitysupport

to children,youngpeople,familiesandschoolssothatchildrenandyoungpeopleliving

inWalesbenetfromtheeducationalopportunitiesprovidedtothem.

11. TheServicewillinvestigatethereasonsbehindschoolabsence,offerinformationand

guidance,undertakeplannedinterventions,advisefamiliesaboutspecialistsupport

servicesandmakereferralstoappropriateserviceswhenrequired.


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12. TheServicebelievesthatchildrenandyoungpeopleareindividualsandhavea

righttoequalopportunities,whatevertheirability,race,culture,religion,gender,

sexual orientationorsocialbackground.

13. TheServicerecognisesthatchildrenandyoung peoplewithAdditionalLearningNeeds(ALN)andfamilieswhoaresociallydisadvantagedmay,attimes,requireextrasupport.

14. TheServicewillworkalongsideotheragenciesinordertosupportallchildrenandyoung

peoplewithspecicemphasisplacedonchildprotectionissues.

About this Toolkit

15. Thistoolkitisdividedinto3sections:

Section 1containsguidanceandstandardsgivinganoverviewoftheroleand

responsibilityoftheEWS.

Section 2containsaCDwithexemplarmaterialwhichhasbeencollectedfromlocal

authoritiesacrossWalesandtheUK.Thesematerialsarenotobligatorytousebutmay

beusefulastemplatesforyoutocreateneworadaptexistingdocuments.

Section 3containsagoodpracticeguideforschoolswithstrategiesandcasestudies

to helpimproveattendanceandmanagelateness.


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Section 1: Guidance and Standards

Part 1: The Education Welfare ServiceThispartisintendedto:

dene the role and responsibilities of the Education Welfare Service (EWS)

dene the role of parents

dene the role of schools; and

outline the referral process.

a. Role of the Education Welfare Service

Overview

16. TheEWSprovidessupporttoschools,pupilsandparentstoensureregularattendance

andaddressproblemsrelatingtoabsenteeism.TheServiceliaiseswithotheragencies

andprovidesanimportantlinkbetweenhomeandschoolhelpingparentsandteachers

toworkinpartnershipinorderthatpupilsbenetfromtheeducationalopportunities

availablelocally.

17. EducationWelfareOfcers(EWO)aresometimesreferredtoasEducationSocialWorkers.

Forthepurposeofthisdocument,EWOwillbeusedthroughoutforthisrole.

18. TheEWSactsonbehalfofthelocalauthorityinenforcingaparentsdutyto

provideappropriateeducation.ThemainfunctionoftheEWSistoimproveoverall

attendanceand reducepersistentabsenceinallschoolsandalternativeeducation

provision.However, inmanyinstancestheEWSalsoundertakeotherrelatedduties,

which may include:

regulatingchildemploymentandperformancelicencesforschoolagechildren;

helpingtoarrangealternativeeducationalprovisionforindividualpupils;

advisingonchildrenbeingeducatedotherwisethanatschool;and

advisingonsafeguardingchildrenineducation.

19. ThemainroleoftheEWSisto:

contributetothelocalauthorityandschoolsdriveforschooleffectiveness;

workinpartnershipwithschools,pupils,parentsandcommunitiestoensure

educationalentitlementandregularattendance;and

linkwithanetworkofagenciesprovidingeducation,healthandsocialservices

for individualswithspecicneeds.

20. Thisissoughttobeachievedthrough:

promotingandsupportingwholeschoolattendancepolicies; providingadviceonprovengoodpractice;

workingtogetherwithschoolstaff,pupils,parentsandrelevantotherson

programmesdesignedtoimproveattendancelevel;


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undertakingindividualworkwithpupils;

undertakingfamilycentredwork;

developinggroupworkwithpupilsandparents;and

initiatingstatutoryproceedingsonbehalfoftheLA.

21. Legalactiontoenforceattendancecanonlybetakenbythelocalauthority.

b. EWS values and principles

Purpose

a. Toassistparents,schoolsandthelocalauthoritytomeetthedutiesplacedonthem

byrelevantlegislation.

b. Toenableandenhanceeffectivecommunicationbetweenandwithinfamilies,

schools,agenciesandotherservicesandthewidercommunity.

c. TofosterandmaintainaclimateinwhichmembersoftheEWSareabletofull

these principles.

Rights of the Individual

d. Toacknowledgetherightsofthoseusingtheservicetoaccessadviceandsupport

fromtheEWSinobtainingservicestowhichtheyareentitled.

e. Toactasadvocate,whereappropriate,forchildren,youngpeopleandfamilies

when theyseektoobtaintheservicestheyareentitledto.

Condentiality

f. Tomaintaincondenceandparticipationinservicesandtherebyhelpprotect

childrenshealthandwellbeing.However,condentialitymaybebreachedwherethis

isinthebestinterestsofthechildandinthewiderpublicinterest.

g. Toconductworkingrelationshipswithchildren,youngpeopleandparentsin

anopenandhonestwaywhichallowsforthesharingofinformationthatis

properly documented.

Anti-discriminatory practiceh. ToprovideEWSsupportonanequitablebasisaccordingtoneed,regardlessofrace,

culture,religion,gender,age,sexualorientation,disability,socialbackgroundor

additionallearningneeds.

i. Topromoteequalopportunitieswithinallaspectsofwork.

j. Toconfrontdiscriminationwheneveritmayarise.

Information management

k. Toensureaco-ordinatedandconsistentapproachtoreferral,recordingandreporting systems.

l. Torecognisetheneedforobjectivity,accuracyandcondentialitywhereappropriate.


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m.Torecognisetherequirementsofboththelegislationandunderlyingprinciplesrelated

todataprotection,accesstopersonallesandpupilrecords.

n. Tocollate,interpretandpresentdataonissuesrelatingtorelevantaspectsof

EWS workandthenuseittoplanandmanagetheworkoftheEWS.

Case and workload management

o. Toestablishacasemanagementpolicythatincorporatesaformalreferralsystem.

p. Toestablishasystemforcasemanagementthatincorporatesassessment,planning,

monitoringandevaluation.

q. Toestablishandmaintainclearsystemsforassessment,planning,monitoringand

evaluationofworkloads,includingselfevaluation,appraisalandfeedbackfrom

serviceusers.

r. Toestablishaccesstoeffectivesupervisionandsupportfromalinemanager.s. Toestablishasystemforclosingcases.

Intervention

t. Tofacilitatetheprocessofinterventionthroughafullassessmentofneedsand

considerationoftheresourcesandmethodsavailable.

u. Tomakeappropriateuseoflegalproceedingsaspartofaplannedintervention.

v. Toempowerfamilieswheretheyseektoresolvetheirowndifculties.

w.Toassistchildrenandyoungpeopleinmaximisingtheireducationalopportunities.

Training and Professional Development

x. Toachieveaqualiedservicethroughsupportoftrainingandprofessional

developmentopportunities1.

c. Induction and recommended In-Service Training

22. Itisimportantthatallnewmembersofstafffeelpartoftheteamandaresupported

in theirrole.Duringtheinductionperiod,itisgoodpracticeto:-

clarifytheroleandresponsibilitieswithinthewelfareservice begintheprocessofidentifyinglearning/developmentneedsinrelationtothe

post; and

outlinehowtherolecontributestotheserviceandhowitrelatestotheoverall

prioritiesandobjectivesofthelocalauthority.

23. Newmembersofstaffareencouragedtoshadowcolleaguestointroducethemtothe

roleandtohavethecontinuedsupportofamemberoftheteam.

1 TheWelshAssemblywillcommenceworkin2011toproduce,incollaborationwithEWSofcers,atrainingstructure,

qualicationandprogressionroutefortheEWSinWales.


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24. IndividualsareencouragedtoparticipateinIn-Serviceprogrammesandindividual

attendanceatrelevantspecialistcourses.Onoccasionstrainingismademandatory.

Frequentmulti-agencytrainingisencouragedparticularlyinpartnershipwith

safeguardingandinclusioncolleaguesinlinewithgoodpractice.Examplesof

checklists fortheInductionProcessfornewstaffcanbefoundinSection2.

d. Working with schools

25. TheEWOhasadualroletoplayasaproviderofaservicetotheschoolandasmediator

betweenhomeandschool.SchoolswillnormallyhaveanamedEWOwhohasaduty

tovisittheschoolregularlyandwillnormally,intherstinstance,seetheheadteacher

orheadofyear.However,attendanceistheresponsibilityofthewholeschool.Schools

should,therefore,considerthemosteffectivewaysofgivingallstaffaccesstotheEWO

andanunderstandingofhis/herresponsibilitieswithinschools.Itisinadvisableforwork

withtheEWOtoberegardedastheexclusivedomainofpastoralstaff.

26. TheEWOstimeisinevitablylimited.Schoolsshould,therefore,haveacleararrangement

onhowandwhenareferraltotheEWSismadeandtobesureallstaffunderstands

the procedures.Priortoareferraltwothingsneedtohappen:

aschoolsownproceduresfordealingwithabsenceshouldhavebeenexhausted;

areferralformshouldalwaysbeusedsothereisawrittenrecordofthepupils

attendance,lateness,strengthsandweaknesses,relationshipswithpeersand

teachers,pastandpresentcontactwithexternalagenciesandanyotherrelevant

informationfromtheschoolsrecords(referralformdocumenttemplatescanbe

foundinSection2).

School Attendance Register

27. SchoolsarerequiredunderTheEducation(PupilRegistration)(Wales)Regulations 2010,

totakeanattendanceregistertwiceaday;atthestart ofthemorningsessionand

onceduringtheafternoonsession.Theregistermayberequestedinacourtoflawas

evidenceinaprosecutionfornon-attendance.Itmayalsocontributeinformationto

pupilsend-of-termreports,recordsofachievementand leaversreferences.Anaccurate

andconsistentregistrationsystemiscrucialifpoorattendanceandpunctualitywithina

schoolaretobetackled.Itisvitalthatpupilsareawarethatregistrationisasignicant

partoftheschoolday.

28. Allstaffinvolvedwiththeregistrationprocessshouldbemadeawarethatthelawis

specicregardingthekeepingofregisters.Markingandkeepingtheregisterisofthe

utmostimportance.

29. Unauthorisedabsenceisabsencewithoutapprovalfromanauthorisedrepresentative

oftheschoolandincludesallunexplainedabsences.Therewillbeoccasionswhenthe

schoolmayauthoriseapupilsabsenceandhencenooffenceisdeemedtohavebeen

committed.Thus,thedecisiontakenbytheschooltogiveorwithholdauthorisationfor anabsence,isacriticalfactorindeterminingthelocalauthoritysdecisionto

prosecuteparentsasprosecutionisonlypossibleforunauthorisedabsences.


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30. Itisimportantthatschoolsexercisecautionintheauthorisationofabsence.Ifthey

aresuspiciousoftheexplanationgivenbyparents,theabsenceshouldbefurther

investigatedandleftunauthoriseduntilthematterhasbeenclariedtothesatisfaction

oftheschool.Thedecisiontakenbytheschooltoauthoriseabsenceornot,isof

criticalimportanceindeterminingthelevelofinvolvementoftheEWS.Iftheschoolhasauthorisedapupilsabsencetheyhave,ineffect,givenleave,thereforethereisnocase

inlawfortheparentstoanswer.

School Attendance Policy

31. Schoolsareencouragedtodevelopawholeschoolpolicyonattendanceindiscussion

withstaff,governors,parentsandpupilstakingaccountofAssemblyGovernment

guidanceonInclusionandPupilSupportandgoodpracticeidentiedbythelocal

authority.Thispolicyshould:

giveahighprioritytoattendanceandpunctuality;

ensurecompliancewithallstatutoryrequirements;

ensurethatclearinformationisregularlycommunicatedtoparentsandpupils;

collectandmakeeffectiveandconstructiveuseofattendancedata;

provideclearguidancetostaffontheprocessofregistrationandonsuchconnected

issuesastheappropriatecategorisationofabsence;

containclearprocedurestoidentifyandfollowupallabsenceandlateness;

recognisetheimportanceofearlyintervention;

makeprovisionforrst-dayofabsencecontact;

monitorpost-registrationtruancythroughthetakingofclassregistersandspotchecks;

bealerttocriticaltimes(e.g.KeyStage2/3transfer);

identifyarangeofstrategiestodealwithabsenteeism/lateness;

provideforaclearandunambiguoushierarchyofsanctions;

developattendanceincentiveschemeswhichrecognisepupilsattendance

achievements;

considerthesettingoftargetsforindividuals,classes,yeargroups,etc.;

establishproceduresforidentifyingandreintegratinglong-termabsentees; provideforregularstructuredmeetingsbetweenschoolstaffandtheEWO

ensurethatreasonablestepsaretakenbytheschoolbeforeanappropriatereferral

is madetotheEWO;

stresstoparentstheimportanceofcontinuityoflearning,particularlyinrelation

to familyholidaysduringterm-time(schoolsshouldgrantleaveforterm-time

holidays sparingly);

useopportunitiessuchasparentseveningsandtheschoolprospectus/brochure

to remindparentsoftheschoolpolicyonattendance;

involvegovernors;

identifyakeyseniormemberofstaffwithoverallresponsibilityforattendance;


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ensurethatgoodpracticeisidentiedanddisseminated;

beregularlymonitoredandreviewed;and

takestepstocreateaculturewhichencouragesattendance,addressingschoolbased

causesofpoorattendancesuchasbullying,racism,thecurriculum,etc.

e. Engaging and working with parents

32. Parentallycondonedabsenceis,inmanyways,moredifculttoidentifythanany

otherformofpupilabsence.Thisformofabsenceisequallyasdamagingtothe

pupilseducationalexperienceasanyotherformofabsence.Theparents,inmany

cases,perceivethattheyarekeepingtheirchildawayfromschoolforlegitimate

reasons.They mayfeelthattheyareprotectingtheirchild/children.Itisessentialwhen

schoolstafffeelthatapatternofnon-attendanceisemerging,theyworkcloselywith

education,socialandhealthsupportservicestoensurethemostappropriateand

effectiveinterventionisavailabletothepupilandparents.

33. Effectiveengagementisthebedrockonwhichallworkwithparentsisbuilt.

Engagement shouldbeunderpinnedbythevaluesandprinciplesthatguidetheworkof

theEWS.Keytothisisrespectingparentsrightsandsupportingtheminmeetingtheir

responsibilities.

34. Parentsofchildrenfromdifferentculturesmayfeelthattheschoolisnotasafeor

proper environmentfortheirchild.Itisvitalthatschoolsinvestigateandendeavour

torecogniseculturalissuesthatmaypreventapupilfromattendingschool.Thereare

supportservicesthatwillassistandadviseschoolsandparentsonwaysforwardwhenthesedifcultiesarise.

35. Apupilspunctualityisalegalrequirementandtheparents/carersofapupilwhois

persistentlylateareguiltyofanoffence.Thelawtreatspersistentlateness(aftertheclose

oftheRegister)inthesamewayasirregularattendanceandparentscanbeprosecuted

if latearrivalisnotresolved.

36. LeaetsentitledIsyourchildmissingout?provideinformationonattendancefor

parentsinavarietyoflanguagesareavailableinSection2.

37. Parentscandoagreatdealtosupporttheregularandpunctualattendanceoftheirchildren.SchoolsandtheEWSshouldworkwithparentstosupportandencourage

them to:

takeanactiveinterestintheirchildsschoollifeandwork;

attend,whenpossible,parentseveningsandotherschoolevents;

ensurethattheirchildcompleteshis/herhomeworkandgoestobedatan

appropriatetime;

beawareoflettersfromschoolwhichtheirchildbringshome;

ensurethattheirchildarrivesatschoolontimeeachday; ensurethattheirchildonlymissesschoolforreasonswhichareunavoidableor

justied,suchasillnessordaysofreligiousobservance;


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alwaysnotifytheschoolassoonaspossible-preferablyontherstmorning

ofanyabsence;

conrmthisinwritingwhenthechildreturnstoschool;

trytoavoidbookingfamilyholidaysduringterm-time;and talktotheschooliftheyareconcernedthattheirchildmaybereluctant

to go to school.

f. Service Level Agreements

38. ThepurposeofaServiceLevelAgreementistosetoutaclearagreementbetweenthe

schoolandthelocalauthorityEducationWelfareServiceontheactionstobetakenby

theschoolandtheEWS.Such documentsgoalongwaytowardsensuringthatthere

isconsistencyofapproachandacommonunderstandingaboutwhodoeswhat.Local

authoritiesshoulddrawupServiceLevelAgreementsthatsetouttheamountofsupportthatschoolscanexpectbasedonclearcriteriaincludingstaffresponsibleforattendance

aswellastheresponsibilitiesoftheschoolontheappropriatenessandtimelinessof

referralsetc.

39. ExamplesofServiceLevelAgreementscanbefoundinSection2.

g. Record keeping

40. EWOsshouldmaintainanaccurateandobjectiverecordoftheirongoinginvolvement

withserviceuserstogetherwithdetailsofreferralsandoutcomes.

41. Theuseofstandardisedformscanhelptoexpeditethisprocessandcanincludea:

referralform;

initialassessmentform;

casele;

summaryofcontactform.

recordofsupervision;and

closuresummary.

ExamplesoftheseformscanbefoundinSection2.

42. MuchoftheEWOsworkregardingattendanceisrelatedtothelegislativeframework

andcanresultinprovidinginformationforcourtswhenlegalactionistaken.Itis

expectedthatinmostcircumstances,reportsrequestedconcerningaparticularchild

or familywouldbediscussedwiththempriortosubmission.ItisessentialthattheEWO

keepsdocumentaryevidenceofthecaseworkundertaken.


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h. The referral process

43. Duringthetimetabledvisittotheschool,ananalysisofattendancedatashouldbemade.

Theknowledgeoftheabsenceswillbeafactorcontributingtowhetherareferraltothe

EWOisappropriate.BeforeacceptingareferralformoreintensiveworkanEWOshouldlookforevidencethattheschoolitselfhasmadeanefforttoaddresstheattendance

issuethrough:

actionbytheclass/formtutoraspartoftheirday-to-dayduties;

involvementofotherswithintheschool,e.g.Headofyear,Headteacheretc;and

contactwithparents.

44. Referralsmayincludethefollowinginformation:

pupilinformation,e.g.name,age,dateofbirth,year/classgroup,gender,

ethnic origin,languageotherthanEnglish/Welsh,requirementsofanyreligious

afliation,addressifdifferenttoparent(s)/carer(s),etc;

assessmentbyschoolofpupil,e.g.ability,academichistory,areasofdifculty,

reason forreferral,attendancedetailsetc;

parent/carerinformation;includingtheirdateofbirth;

actionstakenbyschooltoresolvedifcultiesandtheoutcomesoftheseactions;

otherrelevantinformationrelatingtocontributoryfactorsandanyotherpersons/

agenciesinvolved;

issuesofriske.g.safeguardingorprotectionissues,aggressionorviolenceinfamily

or bythepupil;and anyotherinformationpertinenttothecase.

45. Referralsshouldbemadewhen:

apatternofirregularattendancehasdeveloped;

aperiodofentrenchednon-attendancehasbecomeestablished;

letterssentbytheschooltotheparentshavemetwithlittleornoresponse;

thereisalackofparentalco-operationinensuringachildsregularattendance;

apatternofpost-registrationtruancyispersistingdespitetheschoolseffortsto

preventit; aparentwithdrawsapupilfromschoolhavingexpressedanintentiontoelectively

educatehim/herathomebuthavenotformallyderegisteredthepupilbyadvising

thelocalauthorityoftheirintentions;

apupiliswithdrawnfromschoolbytheparentswhoaremovingtoanotherarea

andtheschooldoesnotreceivearequestforthepupilsrecordsfromaschoolin

the new area;

apupilhasreachedthepercentageabsencetriggersetbytheschool;

apatternofpersistentlateness(afterthecloseoftheschoolregister)hasdeveloped;

therearespecicandidentiablewelfareissueswhicharepreventingapupilfrom

accessingeducation;and


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wheretherearespecicchildprotectionconcerns,theseshouldbereferreddirectly

to theschoolsChildProtectionOfcer.

The EWO response to a referral

46. ItisgoodpracticefortheEWOtomakeariskassessmentpriortovisitingahome.

Each localauthorityshouldhaveastaffHealthandSafetyProtocolthatoutlinesthis

process.Aspartofthis,theEWOmayberequiredtocollateinformationfromschool

staff,othermembersoftheServiceand,ifappropriate,otheragencies,forexamplethe

SocialServicesDepartment,CAMHS,educationalpsychologist,etc.beforemakingavisit

tothehomeandinterviewingtheparents.Exemplarriskassessmentscanbefoundin

Section2.

47. Homevisitsmakeanimportantandappropriatecontributiontotheeffectivenessofthe

workoftheEWS.Decisionsonhomevisitingshouldbemadetakingintoconsiderationthereasonforthevisit,anassessmentofthelevelandlikelihoodofrisk,andeffective

riskmanagement.Thereisalegalresponsibilityonemployersforthehealthandsafetyof

employeesandallstaffhavearesponsibilityfortheirown,and eachothers,safetyand

well-being.AnexemplarloneworkingpolicycanbefoundinSection2.

48. Thepurposeofthehomevisitvariesfromcasetocasedependingonthecircumstances

oftheworkbeingundertaken.Itisimportantthatstaffacknowledge,andacceptthe

requirementthatcontactwithyoungpeopleandtheirparents/carersintheirhomes

and inotherplacesinthecommunity,representsanappropriateandimportantelement

oftheServicesresponsetofamilies.

Time scale for response

49. Itisgoodpracticetomakeavisitwithin3workingdaysofareferralbeingmadeand

awrittenresponseonthereferralformprovidedanddiscussedwiththeheadteacher/

yeartutorwithin5workingdays.Whenthereisnoreplyatthehomeandnoresponse

hasbeengivenbyparentstoavisitingcard,followupactionshouldbetakeneitherin

writing(copyoflettertobegiventoschool),byaneveningvisitorbycontactingparents

atwork.Ifthereisnosubsequentimprovementinattendanceandifallattemptsto

contacttheparent/carerfail,anofcialwarningnoticecanbeissued.

Issues raised by the family / specic action

50. Whereillhealthisafactor,theEWOwillneedtoconrmthemedicalproblemsidentied

bythechild/parent(particularlyiftherehavebeenseveralreferralsandtheexplanation

forabsencehasbeengivenasillhealth).Ifitisfeltthattheparentshavenotsought

appropriatemedicalhelpandtheabsencepersists,withtheco-operationoftheparents,

areferralshouldbemadetotheschoolnurseorschoolmedicalofcer.Inaddition,

whereanillnesssuchasmildasthma,migraineorperiodpainsaregivenasareason

forfrequentorprolongedabsence,amedicalopinionmayneedtobesoughtfromtheschoolnurseorschoolmedicalofcer.


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51. Wheretheremaybeadditionallearningneedsorproblemsofschoolrefusal/phobia,

the EWOwillneedtoconsultwiththespecialeducationalneedsco-ordinator(SENCO)

to considerareferraltotheappropriateeducationalneedsadvisoryteacherorthe

EducationalPsychologist.TheEWOmayalsoneedtodiscusswiththefamilyandchilda

referraltotheCAMHSorotheragenciesifappropriate.

52. WherethereissocialservicesinvolvementtheEWOwillneedtoliaisewiththe

designatedsocialworkerinordertodetermineareasofresponsibilityandtoconsider

the possibilityofajointvisit.

53. Dependingonage,theEWOmayneedtohavediscussedwiththefamilyandtheschool

otheroptions,suchasanalternativeeducationprovision.

54. TheEWOwillneedtoaddressanyissuesraisedbythechildand/orfamilyregarding

any difcultiesthatmightpreventregularattendance.Examplesofthiscouldbebullying,

curriculumproblems,teacher/pupilrelationships,domesticproblems,nancialhardship,

drug/alcoholmisuseetc.anddrawupaplanofactionwiththeschooltoaddress

the problems.

55. Assessmentisanon-goingprocessandcomplexcasesmayrequireanumberofvisits.

Aftertheinitialassessmenthasbeenmade,theEWO,inliaisonwithschoolstaffand

possiblyotheragencies,willplanacourseofaction.Insomecasesthismayinvolve

workingwithparentstohelpthemtoseetheschoolsviewandvice-versa.Theresolution

ofconictbetweenschoolandhomeandtryingtochangeparentalattitudestowards

education,areregardedasbeingfundamentaltotheEWS.


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Procedures for Non-Attendance

Concerns regardingchilds absence

School sends outreasons for absence

form/letter

Reason acceptable,no further action

No reply/unacceptable reason

for absence

School invites parents/carers to school

Parents do not attend and/or

attendance fails to improve

Referral to EWO

EWO employs strategies to improve

attendance

No improvement

EWO and school call Pastoral Support

Panel (PSP) meeting

No improvement

Request warning letter

Served by EWO and EWS Manager

No improvement

Consult Legal Department

Legal action agreed - standard letter

to parents from Director /

EWS Manager

Medical reasons given

Referral to School

Medical Ofcer SMO

Medical problem

conrmed

No further actionOr

Ongoing monitoring

and review meetings

No medical problem

found - Letter

sent from School

explaining medical

certicate needed in

order to authorise

absence

Attendance improves.

Ongoing monitoring

and review meetings

Attendance improves.

Ongoing monitoring

and review meetings

Check if an Education

Supervision Order or

a School Attendance

Order is appropriate

Legal Action

(Prosecution/ESO/SAO)


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21/90

13

Part 2: Guidance On The Legal Powers To Secure RegularSchool Attendance In Wales

56. Thispartisintendedto:

clarify the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in

supporting attendance

summarise the range of interventions available to LAs to support and enforce

regular attendance

provide information on the powers available under law for ensuring regular

attendance; and

give examples of good practice, e.g. case management, working with

Magistrates courts.

57. TheEWSundertakesproceedingsonbehalfoftheLA,inrespectofparentswhodonotensuretheirchildrensregularattendanceatschoolorenrolthematschooloreducation

otherwisethanatschool.

58. TheEWSwillmakerelevantassessmentsandactionplansinpartnershipwithpupils,

parent(s),schoolstaffandotherrelevantparties,concerningattendanceatschool

or alternativeeducationalprovision.

59. Theuseoflegalactionagainstparentswillbeconsideredaspartofaplanned

interventionwithfamilies.TheEWSmustensureaccountabilityforcasestakentocourt

andliaisewithschoolsconcerningsuchcases.

60. TheEWSwillofferinformationtoparentsandpupilsaboutrightsandresponsibilities

concerningattendanceandthelegalprocess,duringanyinterventionwiththefamily.

a. Denitions

61. Compulsory school age-UnderSection8oftheEducationAct1996,childrenand

youngpeopleshouldattendschoolfromthestartofthersttermcommencingafter

theirfthbirthday.Theendoftermdatesare31March,31Augustand31December.

AyoungpersonceasestobeofcompulsoryschoolageonthelastFridayinJuneofthe

schoolyearinwhichtheyhavetheir16thbirthday.

62. Thedenitionofparentissetoutinsection576oftheEducationAct1996andincludes:

allnaturalparents,whethertheyaremarriedornot;

anypersonwho,althoughnotanaturalparent,hasparentalresponsibility(asdened

intheChildrenAct1989)forachildoryoungperson;and

anypersonwho,althoughnotanaturalparent,hascareofachildoryoungperson.

63. Havingcareofachildoryoungpersonmeansthatapersonwithwhomthechildlives

andwholooksafterthechild,irrespectiveofwhattheirrelationshipiswiththechild,

is consideredtobeaparentineducationlaw.


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14

64. Walking Distance-AsdenedbySection3oftheLearnerTravel(Wales)Measure 2008:

a. inrelationtoaprimaryschoolagedchildreceivingeducationatamaintainedschool,

anon-maintainedspecialschool,aPupilReferralUnitorindependentschoolnamed

inastatementmaintainedforthechild,meanstwomiles(3.218688kilometres),andb. inrelationtoasecondaryschoolagedchildreceivingeducationatamaintained

school,anon-maintainedspecialschool,aPupilReferralUnitorindependent

schoolnamedinastatementmaintainedforthechild,meansthreemiles

(4.828032 kilometres).

65. Ineachcasemeasuredbythenearestavailableroutewhichissafetowalkeither

escortedorunescorted.

66. Full-time education-InclusionandPupilSupport47/2006denesfulltimeeducationas:

KeyStage1: 21hours KeyStage2: 23.5hours

KeyStage3/4(IncludingYear10only): 24hours

KeyStage4(Year11): 25hours

b. Roles and responsibilities

67. Ensuringregularschoolattendanceisademandingareaofworkthatdependson

establishingandutilisingcloseworkingrelationshipsbetweenparents,pupils,schools,

theEWSandotherprofessionalsworkingwithchildrenandyoungpeopleinsocial,

educationalandhealthcaresettings.68. Akeyelementofanysuccessfulworkingrelationshipisaclearunderstandingofeach

personsroleandresponsibilities,andassuchthissectionsetsouttoclarifytheroles

and responsibilitiesforthosepeopleengagedwithtacklingattendanceissues.

Parent

69. Undersection7oftheEducationAct1996,theparentisresponsibleforensuringthat

theirchildofcompulsoryschoolagereceivesefcientfull-timeeducationthatissuitable

totheirchildsage,abilityandaptitudeandtoanyspecialeducationalneedsthechild

mayhave.Thiscanbebyregularattendanceatschool,alternativeprovisionorbyelectivehomeeducation(theparentcanchoosetoprovideeducationfortheirchild).

School

70. SchoolsarerequiredundertheEducation(PupilRegistration)(Wales)Regulations2010

totakeanattendanceregistertwiceaday;atthestart of themorningsessionand

onceduringtheafternoonsession.Theaccuracyof the registerisimportantinorder

tosupportanystatutoryinterventionsthatmayberequired.Itshouldbenotedthat

itisanoffencenottomaintainaccurateregisters.Detailedguidanceonattendance

codes(revisedin2010)canbefoundinAnnex4.iof theInclusionandPupilSupportguidance document.


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Local authority

71. Undersection437oftheEducationAct1996,LAshaveadutytoensurethatachildfor

whomtheyareresponsibleisreceivingasuitableeducationeitherbyregularattendance

atschoolorotherwise.FurtherinformationcanbefoundinSection4oftheInclusionandPupilSupportguidancedocument.

72. InSeptember2009theWelshAssemblyGovernmentcommencedSection436Aofthe

EducationandInspectionsAct2006whichrequiresthatlocalauthoritiesmustmake

arrangementstoenablethemtoestablish(sofarasitispossibletodoso)theidentities

ofchildrenresidingintheirareawhoarenotreceivingasuitableeducation.

73. Implementationofthedutyundersection436Ashouldbeintegratedwiththewiderrange

ofdutiesplacedonlocalauthorities,includingtheChildrensAct2004(sections25-29)

andtheWelshAssemblyGovernmentsSafeguardingChildrenWorkingTogetherunder

theChildrensAct2004thataimstoimproveoutcomes,andsafeguardandpromotethewelfareofchildren.Thenewdutyshouldstrengthenandcomplementtheseexisting

duties.Statutoryguidancetohelppreventchildrenandyoungpeoplemissingeducation,

including apracticaltoolkitisavailableontheWelshAssemblyGovernmentswebsite.

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/guidance/missingeducation/?lang=en

c. School Attendance Orders (SAO)

Legislative basis

Sections437-443,EducationAct1996

Application

74. ASchoolAttendanceOrder(SAO)appliesincaseswhenaparentofachildof

compulsoryschoolagefailstoprovethatthechildisreceivingsuitableeducationand

wheretheauthoritybelievesthechildshouldattendschool.ASAOmaybeusedtodirect

aparenttosendtheirchildtoaspeciedschool,andshouldbeusedwhenapupil isnot

onrollatanyschool.Theyarenotintendedforpupilswhoattendirregularly.

75. ASAOcontinuestobeinforceforaslongasthechildisofcompulsoryschoolage.

If thereisacontinuedfailuretoregisterthechild,theLAhastheoptionofreferringthe casetoSocialServicesforconsiderationofcareproceedings.

Process

76. Thereareanumberofcircumstanceswhichmayleadtoachildnotbeingonrollata

school,andthereforetheuseofanSAOmaybeappropriate:

theparenthasnotregisteredtheirchildwithanyprimaryschool;

thereisachangeinschoolphase,suchastransitionfromprimarytosecondaryschool;


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16

theparenthasfailedtosecureaplaceattheschooloftheirpreferenceandtheyare

facedwithoptionswhichtheyviewtobeunsuitable;

theparenthasfailedintheirdutyunderarrangementsforelectivehomeeducation

andisreluctanttoengagewithanyschool;and

childrenfromanotherLAmoveintotheareaandhavebeentakenofftheschoolroll

intheirpreviousLA.

77. BeforeservinganSAO,EWOsshouldmakeeveryefforttoengagetheparentandhelp

themtogettheirchildrentoschool.Thismayincludemakingsuretheparentisaware

ofthelocationofschoolsinthearea,andexplainingandassistingwiththeadmission

or admissionappealarrangementswherenecessary.

78. If,followingengagement,aparenthasstillnotmadearrangementsfortheirchilds

education,LAsshouldfollowprocedurestoserveanSAO.Thekeystagesinthis

procedurearesummarisedinthefollowingowchart.


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LA issues a notice under s437(1) to parents stating: they are failing in their duty to provide their child withan education; and

they must satisfy the LA that they are providing aneducation at school or otherwise within a specifiedperiod of time (not less than 15 days)

(The 15 days runs from the date notice is served)

Notice expires withoutparents taking action

The LA should write to the parent referring them to thenotice and informing them under section 438 of:

the intention to serve an SAO the parents right to educate their child at home that they have 15 days in which to take action or the

LA will serve an SAO schools suitable for their child to attend; and the parents right to nominate a school to be named on

the SAO

or parental response not

sufficient enough tosatisfy the LA

15 days expire withoutparents taking action

or parental response notsufficient enough tosatisfy the LA

The LA should issue an SAO.The Order should specify which school the child shouldattend. This school must be consulted before it is named inthe order, and the consultation must take account of theSEN code of practice, and admissions code of practice.The parent has 15 days to comply with the order.

15 days expire withoutparents taking action

Parent complies with therequirements of the SAO

LA applies for Education Supervision Order (ESO) under

section 36(9), Childrens Act 1989 (see pg 29)orParents taken to Magistrates Court under section 443,Education Act 1996, for failure to comply with an SAO(see pg 28).

Parent proves they areeducating their child

Parent proves they areeducating their child

or

Parents nominate aschool to be named onthe SAO

or parental response notsufficient enough tosatisfy the LA

No further actionSAO Flowchart


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Format of School Attendance Order:

d. Failure to comply with a School Attendance Order

Legislative basis

Section443,EducationAct1996

Offence

79. BeingaparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolageinrespectofwhomaSAOwasserved

whofailedtocomplywiththerequirementsoftheorder.

Key points

80. Itwillbenecessarytoprovethatthe:

childisofcompulsoryschoolage;

parenthascareofthechild,

parenthasfailedtocomplywiththeorder;

noticesservedundersections437(1)and438,giverecognitiontothetimelimitssetoutintheAct,i.e.theparentisgiven15daysnoticetorespondtoeachnotice;and

noticeswereservedupontheparent.

Asyou[nameofparent]of[addressofparent],beingtheparentofachildofcompulsory

schoolageintheareaoftheAuthority,havefailedtosatisfytheAuthorityinaccordancewiththerequirementsofthenoticeservedonyouundersection437(1)oftheEducation

Act1996bytheAuthorityon[dateofnotice]that[nameofchild]isreceivingsuitable

education,eitherbyregularattendanceatschoolorotherwise:

Andas,intheopinionoftheAuthority,[nameofchild]shouldattendschool:

Youarerequiredtocause[nameofchild]tobecomearegisteredpupilatthe

following school:

[Insertfullnameandaddressoftheschoolandomitthewholeorpartofthefollowing

wordsasthecaserequires]

beingtheschool[speciedbytheAuthority][selectedbyyou][determinedbyadirection

oftheSecretaryofStateforEducationandEmployment][astheschooltobenamedin

thisOrder][speciedinthestatementforthechildundersection324oftheEducation

Act 1996].

FailuretocomplywiththerequirementsofthisOrderisanoffenceunlessyoucanprove

that[nameofchild]isreceivingsuitableeducationotherwisethanatschool.

Signed[nameofofcer]of[nameofAuthority]LocalAuthority.

[Dated]


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Statutory Defences

None

Notes81. Thisoffencecarriesaneuptoamaximumlevelof3onthestandardscale-

currently 1,000aparentforeachabsentchild.

82. Unlessitisrevoked,anSAOcontinuestobeinforceforaslongasachildisof

compulsoryschoolage.Incasesofcontinuedfailuretocomply,afurtherprosecutionis

notpossible;anotherSAOhastobemadebeforeasecondprosecutioncanbebrought.

83. ForparentswhodonotcomplywithaSAO,itwouldbenormalpracticetorefer

thefamilytoSocialServices.Alternatively,anapplicationcanbemadein theFamily

ProceedingsCourtforanEducationSupervisionOrder.

e. Education Supervision Order (ESO)

Legislative basis

Section36,ChildrensAct1989(seealsosection447,EducationAct1996)

Application

84. AnEducationSupervisionOrder(ESO)canbeusedtoensureregularschoolattendance

whetherornotachildisenrolledataschool.Itshouldalsoensurethatachildreceivesfull-timeeducationsuitedtotheirage,ability,aptitudeandanyspecialeducational

needs,andthatparentandchildaregivensufcientsupportandguidance.

85. AnLAhasadutyundersection447oftheEducationAct1996toconsiderapplyingfor

anESObeforeadecisiontoprosecuteparentsforpoorattendanceorfailuretocomply

withanSAOismade.AnLAcanapplyforanESOinsteadoforaswellasprosecuting

theparents.IfaLAchoosesnottoapplyforanESO,thentheyshouldrecord/provide

evidenceoftheconsiderationandthereasonsthatitwasnotfelttobeappropriate.

86. AnESOmakestheLAresponsibleforadvising,supportingandgivingdirectionsto

thesupervisedchildandhis/herparent/sinsuchawayastoensurethatthechildis

properlyeducated.ThesedirectionsmustbedenedbytheLAandshouldaimtobe

helpfulinbringingaboutanimprovementinthechildsattendance(forexamplethe

LAcoulddirecttheparenttoattendmeetingsattheschoolovertheperiodoftheESO,

requireparent/childtokeeptheLAinformedoftheiraddress,orrequiretheparentto

attendparentingclasses).

87. AnESOwillnormallyceasetobeeffective:

afteroneyear;

whenachildbecomesovercompulsoryschoolage;and whendischargedbythecourtfollowinganapplicationfromthechild,parentsorLA.


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88. However,anLAcanapplyforanESOtobeextendedforuptothreeyears,

ifitisthoughtnecessarytoensurethatthechildseducationcontinuestoprogress.

This mustbedonethreemonthsbeforetheESOisduetoexpire.

89. CourtsmaynotmakeanESOwhenthechildisalreadyinthecareoftheauthority.

Process

90. AnESOisafamilyproceedingsmatterasdenedbytheChildrenAct1989,

which regardsthewelfareofthechildasthemainconcernandisacivilmatter.

91. WhenapplyingforanESO,LAsshouldprovidethecourtwithareportonthechild,

whichshouldincludethefollowinginformation:

recordofattendance,whichgivesinformationaboutattendanceoverthe

2 previoustermspriortotheESOapplication,oroveralongerperiodifappropriate.

This shouldbepresentedasapercentagebreakdownofattendance,authorisedand

unauthorisedabsences;

relevantdetailsonthechildscircumstances,including:age,gender,backgroundand

anyparticularphysical,emotionaloreducationalneeds(includingspecialeducational

needsasdenedbySection312,EducationAct1996)thechildmayhave;

assessmentofthecausesofthechildspoorattendance;

medicalassessment,ifrelevant;

indicationoftheattitudesofthechild,parent,schoolandotheragenciestowards

the poorattendance; shortdescriptionoftheeffectofworkalreadyundertaken;

reasonswhyanESOisbeingrequestedandassessmentofhowthechildmight

be disadvantagedshouldanESOnotbemade;

outlineoftheintendedintervention,includingtargetsfortimingandmonitoring;and

programmeoftheintendedwork,indicatingroleofchild,parentsandschool,

with anindicationofhowtheLAbelievesthiswillhelptoresolvetheproblem

and ensurethatthechildattendsschoolregularly.

92. Thecourtmustalsoconsiderthechildswelfareneeds(alistoftheseisgivenin

section 1(3)oftheChildrenAct1989),andthewishesandfeelingsofthechildneed

to besoughtandtakenintoconsideration.

93. AnESOshouldbereviewedatregularintervals,throughdiscussionbetweensupervising

ofcersandtheirmanagers.


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f. Failure to ensure regular school attendance - section 444(1)

Legislative basis

Section444(1),EducationAct1996asamendedbysections3and4oftheLearnerTravel(Wales)Measure2008.

Offence

94. Beingaparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolagethatisregisteredataschoolandwho

failstoensurethattheirchildregularlyattendsthisschool.

Key points

95. Itwillbenecessarytoprovethatthe:

childisofcompulsoryschoolage

childisregisteredtotherolloftheschool

parenthascareofthechild;and

parenthasfailedtoensurethatthechildregularlyattendsthisschool.

Statutory Defence

96. Achildshallnotbetakentohavefailedtoattendwherethe:

pupilwasabsentwithleavegrantedbyanauthorisedrepresentativeoftheschool

pupilwaspreventedfromattendingbyreasonofsicknessofotherunavoidablecause

absenceoccurredonadayexclusivelysetasideforreligiousobservancebythe

religiousbodytowhichthepupilsparentsbelongs;and

theLAhasfailedinitsdutyundersection3oftheLearnerTravel(Wales)Measure

2008tomakesuitabletransportarrangementsinrelationtothechildtofacilitate

theirattendanceeverydayattheplacetheyreceivertheireducation,orhasfailedin

itsdutyundersection4ofthesameMeasuretomakeothertravelarrangements.

97. Therearethreepossiblecircumstanceswhenthisnalbulletpointwouldapply.Therst

relatestoparentalchoiceofschool.Whereparentschoosetosendtheirchildtoaschool

otherthantheirlocalcatchmentschool,LAsassumetheparentbecomesresponsiblefor

thechildstransportandtheirboarding/accommodation.Iftheparentwishestochange

schooltothatofthelocalcatchmentschoolatalaterdate,theLAwillseektoenable

thechildtoregisteratthatschool.

98. Thesecondrelatestopermanentlyexcludedpupils.Throughbecomingpermanently

excluded,achildcouldberequiredtoattendaschoolotherthanthelocalcatchment

school.LAsinformparentsthattheybecomeliableforfundingtransportationtoand

fromschoolinthiscircumstance.

99. Thethirdrelatestoprimaryschoolagedpupilswherethelocalcatchmentschoolhaslegallyimposedlimitationsonpupilnumbers/classsizes.Thenearestprimaryschool

may notbeabletoaccommodatethepupilduetothelimitations.


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100.ThespecialpositionofTravellerfamiliesisrecognisedinlaw(section444(6),

Education Act1996).Travellerparentsareprotectedfromconvictioniftheparent

can demonstrate:

heorsheisengagedinatradeorbusinessofsuchanatureasrequirestravelfrom

placetoplace

thechildhasattendedataschoolasaregisteredpupilasregularlyasthenature

of thattradeorbusinesspermits;and

thechild,whereagedsixorover,hasattendedschoolforatleast200sessions

(half days)duringtheprecedingtwelvemonths.

Notes

101.Section444(1)createsanabsolute/strictliabilityoffencewhichcarriesaneupto

amaximumlevelof3onthestandardscale-currently1,000aparentforeach

absent child.

102.Offencesundersection444aresummaryonlywhichmeanstheyaretriedbefore

magistratesandthereisnorecoursetoahearinginhighcourt.

g. Failure to ensure regular school attendance - section 444(1A)

Legislative basis

Section444(1A),EducationAct1996(asamendedbysection72,CriminalJusticeand

Court ServiceAct2000).

Offence

103.SinceMarch2001therehasbeenanaggravatedoffencewhereaparentofachild

ofcompulsoryschoolagewho,knowingthattheirchildisfailingtoattendregularly

at school,failswithoutreasonablejusticationtocausetheirchildtoattend.

Key points

104.Itwillbenecessarytoprovethatthe:

childisofcompulsoryschoolage childisregisteredattheschool

parenthascareofthechild

parent knows the child is failing to attend regularly; and

parent fails without reasonable justication to cause their child

to attend regularly.

Statutory defences

Asforsection444(1)

105.Itisalsoadefencetoshowthatheorshehadreasonablejusticationforhisorher

failuretocausethechildtoattendschoolregularly.


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Notes

106.Underthishigheroffenceawarrantcanbeissuedcompellingaparenttoattendcourt.

107.Section444(1A)createsanabsolute/strictliabilityoffencewhichcarriesaneuptoa

maximumlevelof4onthestandardscale-currently2,500aparentforeachabsentchild,orimprisonmentuptoamaximumof3months,orboth.

108.Ifthecourtndsaparentnotguiltyofanoffenceundersection444(1A),butissatised

thataparentisguiltyofanoffenceundersection444(1),thecourtmayndtheparent

guiltyofthatoffence.

109.Wheretheprosecutionisbeingbroughtundersection444(1A),thelocalauthority

mayaskthecourttoissueawarrantinordertocompeltheparenttoattendcourt.

Thelegaladvisorincourtshouldbeconsultedastotheproceduretobefollowedin

eachparticularcase.Thecourtmaychoosetoissueawarrantwithorwithoutbail.If a warrantisissuedwithbailthenthedefendantisarrestedbythePoliceandgranted

bailontheconditionthattheyattendcourtonthenewdateofthehearing.Ifawarrant

isissuedwithoutbail,thenthedefendantisarrestedandplacedbeforethenextavailable

courtwhereadecisionistakenastohowtoproceedwiththecase.

h. Failure to ensure regular attendance at alternative provision -section 444(ZA)

Legislative basis

110.Section444(ZA),EducationAct1996(asinsertedbysection116,EducationAct2005).

Thisextendsthecircumstancesinwhichaparentcanbeprosecutedundersection

444forfailingtoensurethattheirchildattendsthealternativeprovisionthathasbeen

madeforthechild.Theparentmustrsthavebeengivennoticeinwriting,orbyother

effectivemeans,ofthealternativeprovision.

111.Section29(3),EducationAct2002(asamendedbysection115,EducationAct2005)

givesthegoverningbodythepowertodirectapupiltoattendalternativeeducational

provisionifthepupilisnotinattendancebutisregisteredattheschool,e.g.pupils

excludedforaxedperiodorapupilstillontheregisterawaitingappealfollowing

a permanentexclusion.

Application

112.Whereachildisofcompulsoryschoolage,butisnotregisteredatanyschooland:

anLAhasmadearrangementsundersection19ofthe1996Actfortheprovisionof

educationforthechildotherwisethanataschool,oratthechildshome;and

noticeinwritingofthearrangementshasbeengiventothechildsparents.

113.Iftheparentofthechildthenfailstoensureregularattendanceatthealternative

provision,thentheyareguiltyofanoffenceundersection444.


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114.Whereachildofcompulsoryschoolagehasbeenexcludedfromarelevantschool,and:

remainsforthetimebeingaregisteredpupilattheschool

isrequiredbytheappropriateauthorityfortheschooltoattendaplaceoutside

schoolpremisesforthepurposeofreceivinganyinstructionortraining;and noticeinwritingoftherequirementhasbeengiventothechildsparents.

115.Iftheparentofthechildthenfailstoensureregularattendanceatthisalternative

provision(nottheschooltheyareonrollat),thentheyareguiltyofanoffenceunder

section444.

116.However,itisadefencetosuchproceedingsifthechildisreceivingsuitableeducation

otherwisethanbyregularattendanceataschoolorataplacementionedin

section 444ZA(1).

Notes

117.Section444(ZA)providesforprosecutionsundersection444(1)and444(1A),whichare

coveredindetailonpages21-23.

118.Methodsinwhichnoticescanbeservedaredenedinsection572oftheEducation

Act 1996:

a) bydeliveringittothatperson,or

b) byleavingitattheirusualorlastknownplaceofresidence,or

c) bysendingitinaprepaidletteraddressedtotheparentatthatplace.

119.Howeversection444(ZA)alsoprovidesthatnoticeofalternativeprovisionarrangements

maybegiventoachildsparentsbyanyeffectivemeans.

i. Parenting Contracts

Legislative basis

120.Section444(1)oftheEducationAct1996providesthataparentcommitsanoffenceif

hisorhercompulsoryschoolagechildwhoisaregisteredpupilfailstoattendschool

regularly.ItisthecommissionofthatoffencethatcantriggertheuseofaParentingContract.Theproofrequiredthattheoffencehasbeencommittedisthesameas

thatwhichwouldberequiredforaprosecutionforthestrictliabilityoffenceunder

section 444(1)oftheEducationAct1996.


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Application

121.Ifapupilfailstoattendschoolregularlyorisexcludedfromschool,theLAorschoolmay

considerwhetheritwouldbeappropriatetoofferaParentingContracttotheparent.

A ParentingContractcanbeissuedwheretheschoolorLAhavereasontobelievethatapupilhasbehavedinsuchawayasto:

cause,orbelikelytocause,signicantdisruptiontotheeducationofotherpupilsor

signicantdetrimenttothewelfareofthatpupilorotherpupilsortothehealthor

safetyofanystaff;or

formpartofapatternofbehaviourwhichifcontinuedcouldleadtothepupilbeing

excluded.

122.Thebehaviourinquestioncantakeplaceatschoolorelsewhereifreasonableforthe

schooltoregulateit.Whatisreasonablewilldependonallthecircumstancesandwillbe

setoutintheschoolsbehaviourpolicy

123.AParentingContractisaformalwrittenagreementbetweenaparentandeithertheLA

orthegoverningbodyofaschoolandshouldcontain:

astatementbytheparentthattheyagreetocomplyforaspeciedperiodwith

whateverrequirementsarespeciedintheContract;and

astatementbytheLAorgoverningbodyagreeingtoprovidesupporttotheparent

forthepurposeofcomplyingwiththerequirementsoftheContract.

124.EntryintoaParentingContractisvoluntary.TheparentcannotbecompelledtoenterintoaParentingContractiftheydonotwishtodoso.Equally,thereisnoobligationon

theLAorgoverningbodytoofferaParentingContractincasesofnon-attendanceor

exclusion.

125.ParentingContractswill,however,oftenbeausefultoolinidentifyingandfocusingon

theissuesbehindthenon-attendanceormisbehaviourandindevelopingaproductive

relationshipwithparentstoaddresstheseissues.

126.TheLAorgoverningbodyofaschoolshouldtakeintoaccountanumberofissues

beforedecidingtoenterintoaParentingContract.Theseincludewhetherotheragencies

arealreadyinvolvedinworkingwiththepupilandfamily,whetheraParentingContract

wouldcomplementorjoin-upthiswork,thetypeofsupportthatmightbehelpfulto

theparentandhowaParentingContractarrangedbytheLAorgoverningbodywillbe

funded.

Notes

127.ThepartyenteringintotheParentingContractwiththeparent(namelytheLAorthe

governingbodyofaschool)isresponsibleforbearingthecostsofanysupportprovided

underaParentingContractalthoughthesecostsmayberecoveredfromanotherbody

e.g.aschoolmayincurthecostsbutthesewillberecoveredfromthelocalauthority.


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128.ThereisnoliabilityintortorcontractforbreachingaParentingContract.

129.However,incasesofexclusionfromschool,failurebytheparenttocomplywiththe

ContractwouldbearelevantconsiderationfortheLAindecidingwhethertoapplyfor

aParentingOrderand,indecidingwhethertomakeaParentingOrder,thecourtmusttakeintoaccountanyfailurebytheparenttocomplywiththerequirementsspeciedin

aParentingContract.

130.Similarly,incasesoftruancy,failuretocomplywithaContractmayleadtheLAto

considerprosecutingtheparentforfailingtoensuretheirchildattendsschoolregularly

inwhichcaseevidencethattheparentfailedtocomplywiththeContractcouldbe

presentedtothecourt.

131.Itisthereforeimportantthatanybreachofthecontractisrecordedsothatitcanbe

presentedtothecourtwhenitbecomesnecessary.

132.MoredetailedguidanceonParentingContractscanbefoundinAnnex3iofInclusion

andPupilSupport.

j. Parenting Orders

Legislative basis

133.Section20oftheAnti-socialBehaviourAct2003andsections97to99oftheEducation

andInspectionsAct2006setoutprovisionsforlocalauthoritiestoapplyforParenting

Ordersforexclusionfromschool,seriousmisbehaviourandtruancy.

Application

134.ThecourtmaymakeaParentingOrderinanumberofcircumstances,including

followingaconvictionforanoffenceundersection443or444oftheEducationAct

1996.The courtmustbesatisedthattheOrderwouldbedesirableintheinterestsof

preventingthecommissionofanyfurtheroffenceunderthosesections.TheParenting

Orderisanancillaryorderandcannotbeasentenceinitsownright-thereforeifgiven

willbeinadditiontoanyotherpenaltyimposed.

135.BeforemakingaParentingOrderonachildoryoungpersonunder16,thecourtmustobtainandconsiderinformationaboutthefamilyscircumstancesandthelikely

impactofanOrderonthosecircumstances.Thisisusuallyintheformofawrittenor

oralreportpreparedbytheEWSasappropriate.TheEWSshouldincludethisincourt

report information.

136.ParentingOrdersaredesignedtohelpandsupportparentsinaddressingtheir

childsproblembehaviour.Theyareintendedtobeameansofsupportratherthan

a punishment.


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137.TheParentingOrderconsistsof2elements:

Arequirementontheparenttoattendcounsellingorguidancesessionswhere

theywillreceivehelpandsupportindealingwiththeirchild.Thisisthecoreofthe

ParentingOrderandlastsfor3months.

Arequirementontheparenttocomplywithsuchrequirementsthatarespecied

intheorder.Thiscouldincludeensuringthatthepupilattendsschooleverydayor

arebackhomebyacertaintime.Section8(4)oftheCrimeandDisorderAct1998

providesthatthiselementcanlastupto12months.However,nosuchrequirements

needbespeciediftherehasbeenapreviousorderinrespectoftheparent.

138.TheOrdercanbemadeononeorbothparentsandtheirconsentisnotrequired.

139.ParentingOrderscanbemadeagainsttheparentofthechildinthecareoftheLocal

Authority,butcareshouldbetakenthatthisisappropriate.Thecourtshouldonly

considerthiswhenitbelievesthattheparentsorguardianswouldbenetfromthehelpandsupportoffered,inthatitmayleadtothechildeventuallybeingableto

return home.

140.AllParentingOrdersaresupervisedbyaresponsibleofcer.Theresponsibleofcer

meansoneofthefollowingwhoisspeciedintheordernamely:

a. anofcerofalocalauthority,andwiththeirconsent

b. aheadteacherorapersonnominatedbyaheadteacher.

141.Itistheroleoftheresponsibleofcertoarrangeprovisionofcounsellingorguidance

sessionsandensurethattheparentcomplieswithanyadditionalrequirements.The counsellingandguidancesessionslastforupto3monthswithnomorethan

onesessionaweek.Theycanbedeliveredonaone-to-onebasisorinagroup

format.The majorityofOrdersaredeliveredthroughgroupsasthisoffersparents

the opportunitytogainsupportfromotherparentsexperiencingsimilarissues.

142.Additionalrequirementsmayrunforupto12monthsalongsidetheparentingsupport

andguidance.Theycouldincludethattheyoungperson:

attendsschoolsorothereducationalprovision;

avoidscontactwithotherspecicchildren;

avoidsvisitingcertainareasatcertaintimes;

isbackhomebyacertaintime;and

requiresparenttoattendaspecicprogrammesuchasangermanagement.

143.OnceaparenthassuccessfullycompletedanOrder,furthersupportcanbeoffered

on a voluntarybasisifappropriate.

144.Iftheparent,withoutreasonableexcuse,failstocomplywithanOrder,thenbreach

proceedingsmustbeconsidered.Theresponsibleofcermusttakeallnecessaryactionto

contacttheparentandseektore-engagethem.However,ifthisfailstheparentmustbetakenbacktotheMagistratesCourtandprosecutedforbreachoftheOrder.There will


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beahearingtodetermineguiltand,ifconvicted,theparentwillbeliabletoanenot

exceedinglevel3andthecourtmayalsoconsideranyothersentenceavailablefora

non-imprisonableoffence.

k. Amendments to legislation relating to Parenting Contracts andParenting Orders

145.TheWelshAssemblyGovernmentintroducedParentingContractsfortruancyand

exclusionandParentingOrdersforexclusioninMay2006asanotherintervention

availabletopromotebetterschoolattendanceandbehaviour.Theprimarylegislation

iscontainedintheAnti-SocialBehaviourAct2003withfurtherdetailsetoutinthe

Education(ParentingOrders)(Wales)Regulations2006.

146.From5thJanuary2011sections97and99oftheEducationandInspectionsAct2006

extendtheavailabilityofParentingContractsandParentingOrdersinrespectofmisbehaviourin school.

Section97extendstheuseofparentingcontractssothattheymaybeusedfor

seriousmisbehaviouraswellasexclusion.Italsoclariesthatthebehaviourin

questioncantakeplaceatschool,orelsewhereifreasonablefortheschoolto

regulateit.

Section99addsarequirementforcourtstotakeintoaccountthefailureofparents

toattendareintegrationinterviewinconsideringwhethertoissueaparenting

order. It alsoallowsregulationstosetoutarrangementsforcross-borderor

cross-schoolpupils.

147.Inadditiontothisfrom5thJanuary2011newregulationsonParentingOrdersand

ParentingContractswillbringthefollowingextraprovisionsintoforce:

Wherethepupillivesinoneauthority,butattendsschoolatanother,thelocal

authoritywherethepupilattendsschoolhasthepowertoapplyforaParenting

OrderorenterintoaParentingContract.Theauthorityofresidencecoulddosowith

agreementfromtheeducatingauthority.Inthecaseofapermanentlyexcludedpupil

theauthorityofresidencehasthepowertoapplyforParentingOrderorenterinto

aParentingContract.Inthiscasetheeducatingauthoritymayalsodosowiththe

agreementfromtheauthorityofresidence. Whereapermanentlyexcludedpupilhasmovedschoolsthenewschoolhasthe

powertoenterintoaParentingContracts.Theoriginalschoolmayalsodosowith

theagreementofthenewschool.

WheremorethanonebodyhasthepowertoapplyforaParentingOrderorenter

intoaParentingContract(e.g.schoolandlocalauthority)theoneproposingto

exercisethepowermustconsultwitheachotherbody.

Whereanorganisationisproposingtousethesepowerstheymustrequest

informationfromanyotherbodywhichmaybeabletoalsousethepowerstodecide

whetherthisisthebestcourseofaction,toavoidmultipleapplicationsorcontractsandtodecidewhetheranorderoracontractispreferable.


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ThecostsoftheParentingOrderorContractisbornebythebodymakingthe

applicationorenteringintotheContractalthoughthesemayberecoveredfrom

anotherbodybyagreement.Forexampleaschoolmayincurthecostsbutthesewill

berecoveredfromthelocalauthority.

l. Prosecution guidance and policies

148.Prosecutionshouldbeaplannedinterventioninthosecaseswhereitisidentiedtobe

appropriate.Itisatoolwhich,ifappliedconsistently,canservetoprotectachildsright

toeducationandoffersawayofengagingparentswhohavefailedtoco-operatewith

previousinterventionstoimproveattendance.

149.LAshavearesponsibilitytoensurethattheirprosecutionprocessistransparent,

consistentandfair.Thisshouldtaketheformofaclearlywrittenstatementofhowthe

LAwilladdressnon-attendance,whichshouldberegularlyupdatedandavailabletoallinterestedparties.

150.WhilsteachLAwillhaveadistinctpolicydevelopedtoaddresstheirlocalcircumstances,

aprosecutionpolicyshould:

provideaclearstatementoftheLAsdutiesandresponsibilities;

incorporatesafeguardstopromoteafairandconsistentservice;

incorporateworkpractices;

identifyprioritiesforintervention;

provideaclearstructurefordecision-making,includingthecriteriaandtimescalefor prosecution;

coverarrangementsforsupervision,reviewandmonitoringcasework;

incorporatedetailsofmulti-agencyapproaches;

addressissuesofcondentiality,equalityofopportunity,therightsofparentsand

children;and

identifyarrangementsformonitoringandevaluationofpracticesandprocedures.

Formally Notifying a Parent

151.Formalwarnings(usually2)aresenttoparentsbeforeproceedingsarecommenced,

butthisisnotattheoutsetofEWScasework.Thelegalimplicationsofnon-school

attendanceshould,ofcourse,bemadeclearatanearlystageofintervention,butcare

shouldbetakentoavoidprejudicingacollaborativeapproachtounderlyingproblems.

m. Decision to prosecute

152.TheLAmustbesatisedthatprosecutionisjustiedintermsoftheAttorney-Generals

GuidelinesforCrownProsecutors.(TheCodeforCrownProsecutorscanbefoundat:

www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution).


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153.TheCrownProsecutionService(CPS)providesguidancetocrownprosecutors,setting

outthegeneralprincipleswhichshouldbeappliedwhenmakingdecisionsabout

prosecutionstoensurethattheyarefairandconsistent.

154.TheCPSadvisesaprosecutionislikelytobeappropriateif: aconvictionislikelytoresultinasignicantsentence;

thedefendantwasinapositionofauthorityortrust;

thereisevidencetheoffencewaspremeditated;

thedefendantspreviousconvictionsorcautionsarerelevanttothepresentoffence;

thedefendantisallegedtohavecommittedtheoffencewhileunderanorderof

the court;

therearegroundforbelievingthattheoffenceislikelytobecontinuedor

repeated; and

theoffence,althoughnotseriousinitself,iswidespreadintheareawhereit

was committed.

155.Aprosecutionislesslikelytobeneededif:

thecourtislikelytoimposeanominalpenalty

thedefendanthasalreadybeenmadethesubjectofasentenceandanyfurther

convictionwouldbeunlikelytoresultintheimpositionofanadditionalsentence

or order,unlessthenatureoftheparticularoffencerequiresaprosecution

therehadbeenalongdelaybetweentheoffencetakingplaceandthedateof

the trial;and

thedefendantiselderlyoris,orwasatthetimeoftheoffence,sufferingfrom

signicantmentalorphysicalillhealth,unlesstheoffenceisseriousand/orthere

is a realpossibilitythatitmayberepeated.

156.Assuch,anLAmustbesatisedthatanyprosecutionisjustiedintermsoftheabove

guidelines.Theyshouldalsoconsiderfactorssuchas:

Howpooristheattendancelevel?

Isthereahistoryofpoorattendance?

Aretheregenuinereasonsfortheabsence?e.g.Bullying,bereavement,emotional issues,medicalissues.

Havetheschoolauthorisedtheabsence;ifsoforwhatreason?

Aretheparentsawareoftheabsence?

Howmuchcontrol/inuencedotheparentshaveoverthechild?

Howco-operativearetheparents?

Whatarethefamilycircumstances?

Whatisthechildsviewandhowfarshouldthisbetakenintoaccount

(e.g.ageofchild).

Whatworkhasalreadybeenundertakenwiththefamily?Howeffectivehasthisbeen?

Istheresufcientevidencetosupportaprosecution?


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Wouldaprosecutionresolvetheattendanceproblem?

Wouldprosecutionbeinthepublicinterest?

n. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)

157.ThePoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984(PACE)setsouttheprinciplesoffairness

andopennessintheinvestigationofcrime.Incarryingouttheirdutiesininvestigating

andprosecutingparentsfornon-attendanceoftheirchildren,LAswillfallwithinPACE

whenevertheyinterviewaparentaboutthenonattendanceoftheirchildwithaview

toobtainingevidenceforaprosecution.IfaLAdoesnotcomplywiththerelevant

provisionsofthePACECodesofpractice,evidenceobtainedinaninterviewmaybe

inadmissibleincourtandhenceputtheentireprosecutionatrisk.ByfollowingPACE,

the LAcaninvitethecourttodrawaninferenceifaparentraisesmattersintheir

defencelaterintheproceedingswhichtheyfailedtoraiseatinterview.

158.LAsshouldtaketheirownlegaladviceabouttheuseofPACEinspeciccases.

159.FormoreinformationaboutPACEandlatestversionsofthePACEcodesgoto

http://police.homeofce.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/pace-code-intro/

FurtherguidanceontheuseofPACE

160.PACEcameintoeffecton1stJanuary1986andsetsouttheconductthatPoliceorpersons

otherthanPoliceOfcerswhoarechargedwiththedutyofinvestigatingoffencesor

chargingoffendersshouldobservewhencarryingouttheseduties(section69(9)Police

andCriminalEvidenceAct1984).ThisincludesEWOsandotherLAofcialsinvolvedin

investigatingandprosecutingparentsundersection444oftheEducationAct1996.

161.PACEcodesofpracticeareissuedinrelationtopowersconferredundertheAct,

which explainhowtheprinciplesshouldbeinterpretedinpractice.Inthecaseof

irregularschoolattendance,thecodeswhichEWOsandLAsneedtobeawareofare:

162.CodeC-inrelationtointerviewingsuspects-particularly,theparentshould:

understandthebasisoftheinterview;

bemadeawareofhisorherrights(tosilenceandlegalrepresentation);and

haveaccesstolegaladvice,interpretersandappropriateadults(e.g.whentheparent

hasmentalhealthproblems)asappropriate.

163.Theinterviewshouldalsoberecordedeitherontapeorbywrittennote.

164.CodeE-Thissetsouttheprocedurestobefollowedinthetaperecordingofinterviews

withsuspectsandthehandlingandsecurityoftapes.


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When should local authorities use PACE?

165.ThePACEcodesofpracticesetoutaframeworkofconductinganinvestigationtakinginto

accountprinciplesoffairnessandequity,andshouldbeviewedasbestpractice.As such,

wewouldexpectLAstoworkwithinthespiritofPACEwheninvestigatingoffencesfornon-attendance.Thisensuresthatparentsareclearabouttheoffence,understandtheir

rightsandresponsibilitiesandhaveaccesstosupportwhereappropriate.

166.LAsshouldtakelegaladviceaboutwhethertoapplythePACEActtocaseworkand,

ifsothepointatwhichitshouldbeapplied.However,asaguide:

Prosecutionsundersection444(1)

167.UnderthissectiontheLAneedstoshowthatthechildfailedtoattendregularlyatthe

schoolwithoutauthorisation.

168.Thisprosecutionreliesondocumentaryevidenceprovidedfromtheschool,

the attendancerecord,andassuchthereisnoneedtoobtainevidencethrough

interviewingtheparent,ortousesuchevidenceincourt.

169.Therefore,whilstitisgoodpracticetoactinaccordancewiththePACECodeofPractice,

theLAdoesnotneedtofollowthecodeswhenprosecutingunderthissection.

170.However,whereparentsareaggressiveoruncooperative,theuseofPACEwould

beappropriate.Ifcircumstancesshouldarisewhere,forwhateverreason,itwasnot

possibletocautiontheparent(s),prosecutionshouldgoaheadwithoutthecautionbeing

administeredandtheEWSwouldthenfollowtheagreedPACEguidelines.

Prosecutionsundersection444(1A)

171.UnderthissectiontheLAneedstoshowboththatthechildfailedtoattendregularly

attheschoolwithoutauthorisation,andthattheparentknewandfailedwithout

reasonablejusticationtocausethechildtodoso.

172.Section444(1A)proceedingsareonlyusedwherepreviousprosecutionshavefailedand

henceitcanthereforebeassumedthattheparent(s)areawarethattheirchildisnot

regularlyattendingschool.AspecicnalwarningisthenissuedbeforeSection444(1A)proceedingsarecommenced.

173.LAsmaywellneedtoconductinterviewswiththeparent,inordertoestablishthe

extentoftheirknowledgeofthenon-attendanceandanyreasonablejusticationfor

notcausingtheirchildtoattend.ShouldtheLAwishtouseevidenceobtainedduring

theseinterviewsaspartoftheircaseforaprosecutionthenitshouldhavebeenobtained

withinthePACEcodesofpractice.

174.WhilstfailuretocomplywiththecodesissuedunderPACEwillnot,initself,makeacase-

workerliabletocivilorcriminalproceedings,itcouldleadtotheexclusionofevidence

obtainedinbreachofthecodesandthusjeopardisetheentireprosecution.


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Complying with PACE

Code C - What you need to know

Basis of Interview

175.Beforeaskinganyquestionsrelatingtothepotentialprosecution,theEWOshould

explaintotheparentthebasisonwhichtheinterviewisbeingconductedi.e.thattheLA

isconsideringprosecutingtheparentunders444(1A)EducationAct1996.Theyshould

explainwhattheoffenceisandcheckthattheparentunderstandswhathasbeensaid.

Right to leave and right to legal representation

176.Theparentshouldalsobemadeawarethattheyarenotbeingheldunderarrestandare

freetogoatanytime.Theyshouldalsobeinformedoftheirrighttoindependentlegalrepresentationandadviceattheinterviewiftheysowish.Parentsshouldtaketheirown

legaladviceastowhetherlegalaidmaybeavailabletothem.

Caution

177.TheEWOorLAofcialconductingtheinterviewshouldalsocautiontheparentasfollows:

Youdonothavetosayanything,butitmayharmyourdefenceifyoudonotmention

whenquestionedsomethingwhichyoulaterrelyonincourt.Anythingyoudosaymay

begiveninevidence.

178.TheEWOshouldsatisfyhimselforherselfthattheparentunderstandstheeffectofthe

caution.Ifthereisanybreakintheinterview,theparentmustberemindedthattheyare

stillundercaution.Thiswouldalsoapplyifforexamplethecautionisincludedinaletter

invitingtheparenttothemeeting.

Interpreter

179.IfaparenthasdifcultyinunderstandingEnglishandwishestohaveaninterpreter,

LAs shouldarrangeforasuitableinterpretertobepresentattheinterview.

Appropriate Adult

180.Insomecases,theremaybeconcernsovertheparentsmentalhealth.IftheLA

believesthattheparentissufferingfromamentaldisorderorisotherwisementally

vulnerable,thecautionshouldbegivenandtheinterviewconductedinthepresenceof

anappropriateadult.Thismaybetheadultwhoisnormallyresponsiblefortheircare,

a mentalhealthworkerorsocialworkerexperiencedindealingwithmentallyvulnerable

peopleoranotherresponsibleadult,butmustnotbesomeoneemployedbythelocal

authorityinthesamedepartmentastheinterviewingofcer


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181.Aninterviewshouldnotbecarriedoutif:

theparentismentallyvulnerableandthereisnoappropriateadultavailable;

theparentisundertheinuenceofalcoholordrugs;and

theparentissufferingfromillness,ailmentorotherconditionwhichmayimpairtheirabilitytounderstandandanswerthequestionsputtothemininterview.

Record of the interview

182.Anaccuraterecordmustbemadeofeachinterviewstatingtheplace,timeatwhich

it beginsandendsand(ifdifferent)thetimetherecordismade.

183.Ifpossible,theinterviewshouldbetaperecorded(seeguidanceoncodeEbelow).

However,thiswilloftennotbepossibleforLAs.Inmostattendancecasesinterviews

betweentheLAofcerandtheparentwillberecordedthroughawrittennote.

184.Ifthisisthecase,aspreciseanoteaspossibleshouldbetaken(preferablyverbatim)

duringtheinterviewandtheparentshouldbegiventheopportunitytoreadthenote

andtosignittoverifythatitiscorrectortoindicatewhichareasheorsheconsidersit

tobeinaccurate.Thisrequiresthepresence,wheneverpossible,ofasecondLAofcer

to takethenote.

185.Ifaninterpreterispresent,heorsheshouldmakeacontemporaneousnoteofthe

interviewinthelanguageofthepersonbeinginterviewed.Sufcienttimeshouldbe

allowedfortheinterpretertomakeanoteofeachquestionandansweraftereachhas

beenputorgivenandinterpreted.

Code E - What you need to know

186.LAsoftenmaynothaverecordingequipmenttotaperecordinterviewswithparents.

If theydonothaveaccesstotheequipmentorataperecordedinterviewisimpractical,

LAsshouldsimplyensurethatanaccuratewrittennoteismadeoftheinterviewasset

outabove.However,ifLAsareabletotaperecordtheinterview,theyshouldfollowthe

guidelinessetoutbelow.

187.Ifaninterviewisrecorded,itshouldberecordedopenlyandpreferablyontwotapes

onadoublecassettedeck.Theinterviewershouldstatethattheinterviewisbeing

recorded.Thetapesshouldbecleanandunwrappedandloadedintothemachine

in the parents presence.

188.Oncerecordinghasstarted,theinterviewershould:

statetheirnameandpositionandthenameandpositionofanyother

interviewer present;

asktheparentandanyotherpartypresenttoidentifythemselvesforthetape;

statethedate,timeandplaceoftheinterview;and

conrmthattheparentwillbegivenanoticeaboutwhatwillhappentothetapes.


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189.Iftheparenthasimpairedhearing,awrittennoteoftheinterviewshouldalsobemade.

Iftheparentobjectstotheinterviewbeingtaperecorded,theyshouldbeaskedto

recordtheirobjectionsonthetapebeforeitisswitchedoff.Iftheywillnotrecordtheir

objections,theinterviewershouldrecordwhattheyunderstandthesetobeonthetape

instead.Awrittennoteoftheinterviewshouldthenbemadeassetoutabove.

190.Thetakingofanybreakandreasonforitshouldberecordedonthetape.Afterany

break,theparentshouldberemindedthattheyarestillundercautionorthecaution

shouldbegivenagain.

191.Attheendoftheinterview,theparentshouldbeaskediftheywishtoclarifyoradd

anything.Thetimeshouldberecorded,thetaperecorderswitchedoffandonetape

(the mastertape)sealedwithalabeltobesignedbytheinterviewer,parentandany

thirdparty(e.g.solicitororappropriateadult).Ifthereisasecondtape,thiscanbe

used asaworkingcopy.

192.Theparentshouldthenbehandedanoticeexplaininghowthetaperecordingwillbe

used[e.g.asevidenceincourt],arrangementsforaccesstothetape[e.g.byattending

at LAofcesorrequestingacopyofthetapebypost]and,ifitisdecidedtoproceed

withtheprosecution,acopyofthetapeassoonaspracticable.Copiesshouldbemade

fromtheunsealedtape(theworkingcopy).Whereitisonlypossibletorecordonone

tape,acopymaybetakenfromthesealedtape,butarecordmustbemadeofthetime,

date,place,personspresentandactionstakenwhenthesealwasbroken[e.g.tape

placedintaperecorderandplayedsothatcopycouldbemade].

o. Disclosure

193.TheCriminalProcedureandInvestigationsAct1996(CPIA)setsoutcertainobligationsof

disclosureandissupportedbyacodeofpractice(CriminalProcedureandInvestigations

Act1996,CodeofPractice),whichisprimarilyconcernedwiththerecordingand

retentionofmaterialandevidence.

194.EWOandLAstaffinvestigatingorprosecutingunderSection444oftheEducationAct

1996shouldactinaccordancewiththeCriminalProcedureandInvestigationsAct1996

(CPIA)andtherelevantprovisionsoftheCPIAcodeofpractice.

195.EWOsandLAStaffinvolvedinprosecutionsforschoolnon-attendanceshouldalsoactin

accordancewiththeAttorneyGeneralsGuidanceonDisclosureissuedin2000.

(http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.uk/attachments/disclosure.doc)

What should you disclose?

196.TheLAmustdisclosetotheparentanymaterialonwhichitintendstorelyinsupportof

itscaseandanymaterialwhichmightundermineitscaseorsupporttheparentscase.

Thestagesandprocessofdisclosingsuchmaterialaresetoutbelow.


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How does disclosure take place?

197.FirstofalltheLAshouldproduceasummaryoftheircasesettingoutthefactsonwhich

theLAisrelying.

198.Iftheparentputsinanotguiltyplea,theLAshouldproducealistofallthematerial

whichithaswhichsupportsorunderminestheLAscase,settingoutwhetherthe

materialwillbeservedontheparent(i.e.copiesmadeandsenttohimorher)or,

ifnot,whereitcanbeinspected.Thisisknownasprimarydisclosure.

199.Theparent(orhisorhersolicitors)maythenserveadefencestatementsettingout

thenatureofthedefenceandanymattersonwhichtheytakeissue.TheLAshould

readthe defencestatementcarefullyandconsiderwhethertheyhaveanymaterial

whichithasnotpreviouslydisclosed(unusedprosecutionmaterial)andwhichmight

reasonablybeexpectedtoassistthedefencetheparenthasputforwardinthedefence

statement.Anysuchmaterialmustbedisclosed.Thisisknownassecondarydisclosure.

200.Theparent(orhisorhersolicitors)mayalsomakerequestsforspecicdisclosure

e.g. oftheschoolrecords.Suchrequestsshouldbedealtwithpromptly.However,theLA

orEWOshouldbealerttospeculativerequests.Materialshouldonlybedisclosedifitis

directlyrelevanttothecasei.e.ifitwillsupportorundermineeithertheLAscaseorthe

parentscase.

201.WheretheLArefusestodisclosematerialrequested(e.g.ifitdoesnotconsideritis

relevanttothecase),thedefencemayapplyundersection8oftheCPIAfordisclosure

to beorderedbythecourt.Similarly,thedefencemayapplytothecourtformaterialheldbyathirdpartytobedisclosed.Insuchcases,thedefencemustsatisfythecourt

undertheCriminalProcedure(AttendanceofWitnesses)Act1965thatthematerialis

likelytoberelevantevidence.

202.Documentswhichmayberelevanttosentencee.g.informationwhichmightmitigate

theseriousnessoftheoffenceshouldalsobedisclosed.

p. Prosecution process

203.ItishighlyadvisablethatLAsliaisewithlocalcourtstoensurethatthereisaclearmutual

understandingofthecourtspowersandprocedures.

204.ItisadvisedthatforEWSdepartmentswhoregularlyprosecute,courtdatesarebooked

inadvancetominimisedelaybetweenissuingwarnings/applyingforsummonsesand

thehearingdate.

205.Thediagramonthenextpageprovidesasummaryofthekeystagesintheprosecution

process,startingwiththeformalnoticationoftheparent.

206.ItshouldbenotedthatallLAsoperatedifferentlyinbringinginformationtotheattention

ofthecourt.InsomeLAsLegalOfcersorsolicitorsareresponsibleforbringingcasestothecourtwhereasinotherstheEWSbearsresponsibility.Theproceduresoutlinedbelow

shouldbefollowedregardlessofwhobringsthecasetocourt.


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Formally notifying a parent

Formal written notication at outset of casework stating legal action may be taken by the LA.

Allow 15 days for parent to improve situation before starting proceedings.

Commencing proceedings Application made to the Magistrates Court for a summons to be issued by laying an information

before the court.

Information must be laid before the court within 6 months of the alleged offence and is a

brief description of the offence, the name of the offender, dates of offence and where it was

allegedly committed.

Information is considered.

Date of hearing arranged.

Summons issued by the court - this gives details of the alleged offence, when it is to be heard

and at which court.

Serving the summons

Decide on method of service - by hand / rst class post / registered post / process server.

Obtain Certicate of Service. (See below).

Aim to provide at least 10 days working notice of hearing date.

Include Witness Statement (section 9, Criminal Justice Act 1967) this is the evidence the LA intends

to present to the court.

Include a Certicate of Attendance signed by the head teacher.

Include details of any previous convictions the LA intends to draw to the courts attention.

Include a notice advising that the parent has 7 days to object to the content of the witness statementand to request that the witness (the EWO) be present at the hearing.

Include form for parent to indicate plea, sign and return to the court.

The court hearing

District Judge / Lay Bench

Option to request adjournment - case adjourned if judged to be in the interests of justice.

Parent asked to enter plea.

Not Guilty Plea - case adjourned until trial date set by court.

Guilty Plea - LA representative outlines case, followed by parent or their solicitor.

Failure to attend

Adjournment notice sent setting out new

hearing date.

Failure to attend on second date, case may be

heard in the absence of the parent.

Section 444(1A) prosecutions - court can issue

a warrant to compel the parent to attend.

Guilty pleas in absence

(section 12, Magistrates Courts Act 1980)

LA must have presented parent with evidence

prior to court hearing (witness statement) and

Defendant indicated they wish to plead guilty

and for the case to be dealt with in their

absence.

Only information served on the defendant canbe referred to in court.

Court can sentence based on the basis of what

is placed before them.

Not appropriate for section 444(1A)


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q. Sentencing options available to the court

207.InreachingtheirsentencetheMagistrateswillconsideralloftheinformation

presentedtothecourt.BeforedecidinguponasentencetheMagistrateswillneed

to consid