fframwaith presenoldeb ar gyfer cymru gyfan · 4. attendance within the context of the school...

Fframwaith Presenoldeb ar gyfer Cymru GyfanArweinlyfr gweithredol i’r Gwasanaeth Lles Addysg

All Wales Attendance FrameworkAn operating toolkit for the Education Welfare Service

ISBN 978 0 7504 5873 3

© Hawlfraint y Goron 2011

© Crown copyright 2011

WAG 10-10733

F1181011

i

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 Wales

a. Definitions 13

b. Roles&responsibilities 14Parent 14School 14Localauthority 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. AmendmentstolegislationrelatingtoParentingContractsandParentingOrders 28

l. Prosecutionguidanceandpolicies 29

m.Decisiontoprosecute 29

n. ThePoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984(PACE) 31

ii

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. Confidentiality/Complaints 82

Section 2: Exemplar Materials Tableofcontents

CD

Section 3: Strategies for schools to improve attendance and manage lateness

iii

Foreword

1. TheWelshAssemblyGovernment’spoliciesforchildrenandyoungpeoplehavetheirbasisintheUnitedNationsConventionontheRightsoftheChild(UNCRC).Webelieveit isvitalthatchildrenandyoungpeoplehaveaccesstoappropriateandeffectivelearningopportunitiesandprovision.Anybarrierstolearningneedtobeidentifiedearlyandremoved,sothatchildrenandyoungpeoplecanengageineducationalprovisiontheyneedtoachievetheirfullpotential.

2. Achild’ssuccessatschoolislikelytobeaffectednegativelybypoorattendance.Those whodonotattendregularlymaynotbeabletokeepupwiththeirworkandina busyschooldayitcansometimesbedifficultforschoolstofindtheextratimeneededtohelpachildcatchup.Inaddition,researchshowsthatchildrenwhoarenotinschoolaremorevulnerableandcanbeeasilydrawnintocrimeandanti-socialbehaviourandaremorelikelytobeunemployedafterleavingschool.

3. ImprovingbehaviourandattendanceisanintegralpartofourwidereducationalinitiativessuchastheFoundationPhaseand14-19LearningPathways.Theseinitiativesaimtoensurethatchildrenandyoungpeopledonotbecomedisengagedfromeducationbyensuringthatprovisionissuitabletotheirindividualneeds.

4. AttendancewithinthecontextoftheSchoolEffectivenessFrameworkisakeywholeschoolimprovementissueandhasastrongdirectrelationshipwiththeattainmentofindividualsandgroupsofstudentsandthestandardstherebyachievedbytheschool.Throughtheself-evaluationprocessattendancestrategiescanbeassessedand enhanced.

5. InMarch2009,wepublishedBehavingandAttending:ActionPlanRespondingtotheNationalBehaviourandAttendanceReview.ThroughtheActionPlanweaimtocreatea cultureofearlyintervention,effectivesupportandwaystoembedanddisseminategoodpracticetopromotepositivebehaviourandattendanceinschoolsacrossWales.

6. AkeyactioninthePlanwastoproduceanAttendanceFrameworkforWalesinpartnershipwiththeEducationWelfareService(EWS).Theresultingdocumentprovides standardsandguidanceforpractitionerstoensuregreaterconsistencyofpracticethroughoutWales.ItalsoaimstoenabletheEWSandschoolstodeliverservicesthat areconsistent,accessibleandofahighstandard.MostimportantlyitisintendedtobeapracticalresourcetoolkitforusebystaffworkingwithintheEducationWelfareService.

iv

7. Thisdocumentdrawsontheexperience,knowledgeandexpertiseofcolleaguesacrossWalesbroughttogetherbyaworkinggroupofthefollowingEWSManagers:

GerwynMatthews Wrexham JohnGould NeathPortTalbot JackieMorton RCT JohnJenkins Cardiff NoellaRoberts Conwy

8. Thefollowinglegislation,guidelinesanddocumentsunderpintheinformationand guidancecontainedinthistoolkit:

• EducationAct1996

• ChildrenAct1989

• ChildrenAct2004

• EducationandInspectionsAct2006

• SENCodeofPracticeforWales2004

• TheLearningCountryandLearningCountryII:VisionintoAction,WAG(2006)

• SchoolEffectivenessFramework

• NationalServiceFrameworkforChildren,YoungPeopleandMaternityServicesin Wales,WAG(2005)

• ChildrenandYoungPeople’sWorkforceDevelopmentStrategy

• BehavingandAttending:ActionPlanRespondingtotheNationalBehaviourandAttendanceReview,WAG(2009)

• InclusionandPupilSupport,WAGCircular47/2006

• ExclusionfromSchoolsandPupilReferralUnits,WAGCircular001/2004

• ImprovingAttendance2006,Estyn

• Education(AdmissionofLookedAfterChildren)(Wales)Regulations2009

• Servicesforchildrenandyoungpeoplewithemotionalandmentalhealthneeds,WalesAuditOfficeandHealthcareInspectorateWales,2009

9. AspartofthedevelopmentofthistoolkittheworkinggroupfeltitimportanttoincludeaMissionStatementwhichclearlysetsoutthevisionandvaluesforanEducationWelfareService.ThegroupproposethefollowingStatementwhichyoumaywishto adopt.

Mission Statement for the Education Welfare Service10. TheEducationWelfareService(EWS)willaimtoprovideprofessional,qualitysupport

to children,youngpeople,familiesandschoolssothatchildrenandyoungpeoplelivinginWalesbenefitfromtheeducationalopportunitiesprovidedtothem.

11. TheServicewillinvestigatethereasonsbehindschoolabsence,offerinformationandguidance,undertakeplannedinterventions,advisefamiliesaboutspecialistsupportservicesandmakereferralstoappropriateserviceswhenrequired.

v

12. TheServicebelievesthatchildrenandyoungpeopleareindividualsandhavearighttoequalopportunities,whatevertheirability,race,culture,religion,gender,sexual orientationorsocialbackground.

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

14. TheServicewillworkalongsideotheragenciesinordertosupportallchildrenandyoungpeoplewithspecificemphasisplacedonchildprotectionissues.

About this Toolkit15. Thistoolkitisdividedinto3sections:

Section 1containsguidanceandstandardsgivinganoverviewoftheroleandresponsibilityoftheEWS.

Section 2containsaCDwithexemplarmaterialwhichhasbeencollectedfromlocalauthoritiesacrossWalesandtheUK.Thesematerialsarenotobligatorytousebutmaybeusefulastemplatesforyoutocreateneworadaptexistingdocuments.

Section 3containsagoodpracticeguideforschoolswithstrategiesandcasestudiesto helpimproveattendanceandmanagelateness.

1

Section 1: Guidance and Standards

Part 1: The Education Welfare ServiceThispartisintendedto:

• define the role and responsibilities of the Education Welfare Service (EWS)

• define the role of parents

• define the role of schools; and

• outline the referral process.

a. Role of the Education Welfare Service

Overview

16. TheEWSprovidessupporttoschools,pupilsandparentstoensureregularattendanceandaddressproblemsrelatingtoabsenteeism.TheServiceliaiseswithotheragenciesandprovidesanimportantlinkbetweenhomeandschoolhelpingparentsandteacherstoworkinpartnershipinorderthatpupilsbenefitfromtheeducationalopportunitiesavailablelocally.

17. EducationWelfareOfficers(EWO)aresometimesreferredtoasEducationSocialWorkers.Forthepurposeofthisdocument,EWOwillbeusedthroughoutforthisrole.

18. TheEWSactsonbehalfofthelocalauthorityinenforcingaparent’sdutytoprovideappropriateeducation.ThemainfunctionoftheEWSistoimproveoverallattendanceand reducepersistentabsenceinallschoolsandalternativeeducationprovision.However, inmanyinstancestheEWSalsoundertakeotherrelatedduties,which may include:

• regulatingchildemploymentandperformancelicencesforschoolagechildren;

• helpingtoarrangealternativeeducationalprovisionforindividualpupils;

• advisingonchildrenbeingeducatedotherwisethanatschool;and

• advisingonsafeguardingchildrenineducation.

19. ThemainroleoftheEWSisto:

• contributetothelocalauthorityandschool’sdriveforschooleffectiveness;

• workinpartnershipwithschools,pupils,parentsandcommunitiestoensureeducationalentitlementandregularattendance;and

• linkwithanetworkofagenciesprovidingeducation,healthandsocialservicesfor individualswithspecificneeds.

20. Thisissoughttobeachievedthrough:

• promotingandsupportingwholeschoolattendancepolicies;

• providingadviceonprovengoodpractice;

• workingtogetherwithschoolstaff,pupils,parentsandrelevantothersonprogrammesdesignedtoimproveattendancelevel;

2

• undertakingindividualworkwithpupils;

• undertakingfamilycentredwork;

• developinggroupworkwithpupilsandparents;and

• initiatingstatutoryproceedingsonbehalfoftheLA.

21. Legalactiontoenforceattendancecanonlybetakenbythelocalauthority.

b. EWS values and principles

Purposea. Toassistparents,schoolsandthelocalauthoritytomeetthedutiesplacedonthem

byrelevantlegislation.

b. Toenableandenhanceeffectivecommunicationbetweenandwithinfamilies,schools,agenciesandotherservicesandthewidercommunity.

c. TofosterandmaintainaclimateinwhichmembersoftheEWSareabletofulfilthese principles.

Rights of the Individuald. Toacknowledgetherightsofthoseusingtheservicetoaccessadviceandsupport

fromtheEWSinobtainingservicestowhichtheyareentitled.

e. Toactasadvocate,whereappropriate,forchildren,youngpeopleandfamilieswhen theyseektoobtaintheservicestheyareentitledto.

Confidentialityf. Tomaintainconfidenceandparticipationinservicesandtherebyhelpprotect

children’shealthandwellbeing.However,confidentialitymaybebreachedwherethisisinthebestinterestsofthechildandinthewiderpublicinterest.

g. Toconductworkingrelationshipswithchildren,youngpeopleandparentsinanopenandhonestwaywhichallowsforthesharingofinformationthatisproperly documented.

Anti-discriminatory practiceh. ToprovideEWSsupportonanequitablebasisaccordingtoneed,regardlessofrace,

culture,religion,gender,age,sexualorientation,disability,socialbackgroundoradditionallearningneeds.

i. Topromoteequalopportunitieswithinallaspectsofwork.

j. Toconfrontdiscriminationwheneveritmayarise.

Information managementk. Toensureaco-ordinatedandconsistentapproachtoreferral,recordingand

reporting systems.

l. Torecognisetheneedforobjectivity,accuracyandconfidentialitywhereappropriate.

3

m.Torecognisetherequirementsofboththelegislationandunderlyingprinciplesrelatedtodataprotection,accesstopersonalfilesandpupilrecords.

n. Tocollate,interpretandpresentdataonissuesrelatingtorelevantaspectsofEWS workandthenuseittoplanandmanagetheworkoftheEWS.

Case and workload management

o. Toestablishacasemanagementpolicythatincorporatesaformalreferralsystem.

p. Toestablishasystemforcasemanagementthatincorporatesassessment,planning,monitoringandevaluation.

q. Toestablishandmaintainclearsystemsforassessment,planning,monitoringandevaluationofworkloads,includingselfevaluation,appraisalandfeedbackfromserviceusers.

r. Toestablishaccesstoeffectivesupervisionandsupportfromalinemanager.

s. Toestablishasystemforclosingcases.

Intervention

t. Tofacilitatetheprocessofinterventionthroughafullassessmentofneedsandconsiderationoftheresourcesandmethodsavailable.

u. Tomakeappropriateuseoflegalproceedingsaspartofaplannedintervention.

v. Toempowerfamilieswheretheyseektoresolvetheirowndifficulties.

w. Toassistchildrenandyoungpeopleinmaximisingtheireducationalopportunities.

Training and Professional Developmentx. Toachieveaqualifiedservicethroughsupportoftrainingandprofessional

developmentopportunities1.

c. Induction and recommended In-Service Training22. Itisimportantthatallnewmembersofstafffeelpartoftheteamandaresupported

in theirrole.Duringtheinductionperiod,itisgoodpracticeto:-

• clarifytheroleandresponsibilitieswithinthewelfareservice

• begintheprocessofidentifyinglearning/developmentneedsinrelationtothepost; and

• outlinehowtherolecontributestotheserviceandhowitrelatestotheoverallprioritiesandobjectivesofthelocalauthority.

23. Newmembersofstaffareencouragedtoshadowcolleaguestointroducethemtotheroleandtohavethecontinuedsupportofamemberoftheteam.

1 TheWelshAssemblywillcommenceworkin2011toproduce,incollaborationwithEWSofficers,atrainingstructure,

qualificationandprogressionroutefortheEWSinWales.

4

24. IndividualsareencouragedtoparticipateinIn-Serviceprogrammesandindividualattendanceatrelevantspecialistcourses.Onoccasionstrainingismademandatory.Frequentmulti-agencytrainingisencouragedparticularlyinpartnershipwithsafeguardingandinclusioncolleaguesinlinewithgoodpractice.Examplesofchecklists fortheInductionProcessfornewstaffcanbefoundinSection2.

d. Working with schools25. TheEWOhasadualroletoplayasaproviderofaservicetotheschoolandasmediator

betweenhomeandschool.SchoolswillnormallyhaveanamedEWOwhohasadutytovisittheschoolregularlyandwillnormally,inthefirstinstance,seetheheadteacherorheadofyear.However,attendanceistheresponsibilityofthewholeschool.Schoolsshould,therefore,considerthemosteffectivewaysofgivingallstaffaccesstotheEWOandanunderstandingofhis/herresponsibilitieswithinschools.ItisinadvisableforworkwiththeEWOtoberegardedastheexclusivedomainofpastoralstaff.

26. TheEWO’stimeisinevitablylimited.Schoolsshould,therefore,haveacleararrangementonhowandwhenareferraltotheEWSismadeandtobesureallstaffunderstandsthe procedures.Priortoareferraltwothingsneedtohappen:

• aschool’sownproceduresfordealingwithabsenceshouldhavebeenexhausted;

• areferralformshouldalwaysbeusedsothereisawrittenrecordofthepupil’sattendance,lateness,strengthsandweaknesses,relationshipswithpeersandteachers,pastandpresentcontactwithexternalagenciesandanyotherrelevantinformationfromtheschool’srecords(referralformdocumenttemplatescanbefoundinSection2).

School Attendance Register

27. SchoolsarerequiredunderTheEducation(PupilRegistration)(Wales)Regulations 2010,totakeanattendanceregistertwiceaday;atthestart ofthemorningsessionandonceduringtheafternoonsession.Theregistermayberequestedinacourtoflawasevidenceinaprosecutionfornon-attendance.Itmayalsocontributeinformationtopupils’end-of-termreports,recordsofachievementand leavers’references.Anaccurateandconsistentregistrationsystemiscrucialifpoorattendanceandpunctualitywithinaschoolaretobetackled.Itisvitalthatpupilsareawarethatregistrationisasignificantpartoftheschoolday.

28. Allstaffinvolvedwiththeregistrationprocessshouldbemadeawarethatthelawisspecificregardingthekeepingofregisters.Markingandkeepingtheregisterisoftheutmostimportance.

29. Unauthorisedabsenceisabsencewithoutapprovalfromanauthorisedrepresentativeoftheschoolandincludesallunexplainedabsences.Therewillbeoccasionswhentheschoolmayauthoriseapupil’sabsenceandhencenooffenceisdeemedtohavebeencommitted.Thus,thedecisiontakenbytheschooltogiveorwithholdauthorisationfor anabsence,isacriticalfactorindeterminingthelocalauthority’sdecisiontoprosecuteparentsasprosecutionisonlypossibleforunauthorisedabsences.

5

30. Itisimportantthatschoolsexercisecautionintheauthorisationofabsence.Iftheyaresuspiciousoftheexplanationgivenbyparents,theabsenceshouldbefurtherinvestigatedandleftunauthoriseduntilthematterhasbeenclarifiedtothesatisfactionoftheschool.Thedecisiontakenbytheschooltoauthoriseabsenceornot,isofcriticalimportanceindeterminingthelevelofinvolvementoftheEWS.Iftheschoolhasauthorisedapupil’sabsencetheyhave,ineffect,givenleave,thereforethereisnocaseinlawfortheparentstoanswer.

School Attendance Policy

31. Schoolsareencouragedtodevelopawholeschoolpolicyonattendanceindiscussionwithstaff,governors,parentsandpupilstakingaccountofAssemblyGovernmentguidanceonInclusionandPupilSupportandgoodpracticeidentifiedbythelocalauthority.Thispolicyshould:

• giveahighprioritytoattendanceandpunctuality;

• ensurecompliancewithallstatutoryrequirements;

• ensurethatclearinformationisregularlycommunicatedtoparentsandpupils;

• collectandmakeeffectiveandconstructiveuseofattendancedata;

• provideclearguidancetostaffontheprocessofregistrationandonsuchconnectedissuesastheappropriatecategorisationofabsence;

• containclearprocedurestoidentifyandfollowupallabsenceandlateness;

• recognisetheimportanceofearlyintervention;

• makeprovisionforfirst-dayofabsencecontact;

• monitorpost-registrationtruancythroughthetakingofclassregistersandspotchecks;

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

• identifyarangeofstrategiestodealwithabsenteeism/lateness;

• provideforaclearandunambiguoushierarchyofsanctions;

• developattendanceincentiveschemeswhichrecognisepupils’attendanceachievements;

• considerthesettingoftargetsforindividuals,classes,yeargroups,etc.;

• establishproceduresforidentifyingandreintegratinglong-termabsentees;

• provideforregularstructuredmeetingsbetweenschoolstaffandtheEWO

• ensurethatreasonablestepsaretakenbytheschoolbeforeanappropriatereferralis madetotheEWO;

• stresstoparentstheimportanceofcontinuityoflearning,particularlyinrelationto familyholidaysduringterm-time(schoolsshouldgrantleaveforterm-timeholidays sparingly);

• useopportunitiessuchasparents’eveningsandtheschoolprospectus/brochureto remindparentsoftheschoolpolicyonattendance;

• involvegovernors;

• identifyakeyseniormemberofstaffwithoverallresponsibilityforattendance;

6

• ensurethatgoodpracticeisidentifiedanddisseminated;

• beregularlymonitoredandreviewed;and

• takestepstocreateaculturewhichencouragesattendance,addressingschoolbasedcausesofpoorattendancesuchasbullying,racism,thecurriculum,etc.

e. Engaging and working with parents32. Parentallycondonedabsenceis,inmanyways,moredifficulttoidentifythanany

otherformofpupilabsence.Thisformofabsenceisequallyasdamagingtothepupil’seducationalexperienceasanyotherformofabsence.Theparents,inmanycases,perceivethattheyarekeepingtheirchildawayfromschoolforlegitimatereasons.They mayfeelthattheyareprotectingtheirchild/children.Itisessentialwhenschoolstafffeelthatapatternofnon-attendanceisemerging,theyworkcloselywitheducation,socialandhealthsupportservicestoensurethemostappropriateandeffectiveinterventionisavailabletothepupilandparents.

33. Effectiveengagementisthebedrockonwhichallworkwithparentsisbuilt.Engagement shouldbeunderpinnedbythevaluesandprinciplesthatguidetheworkoftheEWS.Keytothisisrespectingparents’rightsandsupportingtheminmeetingtheirresponsibilities.

34. Parentsofchildrenfromdifferentculturesmayfeelthattheschoolisnotasafeorproper environmentfortheirchild.Itisvitalthatschoolsinvestigateandendeavourtorecogniseculturalissuesthatmaypreventapupilfromattendingschool.Therearesupportservicesthatwillassistandadviseschoolsandparentsonwaysforwardwhenthesedifficultiesarise.

35. Apupil’spunctualityisalegalrequirementandtheparents/carersofapupilwhoispersistentlylateareguiltyofanoffence.Thelawtreatspersistentlateness(afterthecloseoftheRegister)inthesamewayasirregularattendanceandparentscanbeprosecutedif latearrivalisnotresolved.

36. Leafletsentitled“Isyourchildmissingout?”provideinformationonattendanceforparentsinavarietyoflanguagesareavailableinSection2.

37. Parentscandoagreatdealtosupporttheregularandpunctualattendanceoftheirchildren.SchoolsandtheEWSshouldworkwithparentstosupportandencouragethem to:

• takeanactiveinterestintheirchild’sschoollifeandwork;

• attend,whenpossible,parents’eveningsandotherschoolevents;

• ensurethattheirchildcompleteshis/herhomeworkandgoestobedatanappropriatetime;

• beawareoflettersfromschoolwhichtheirchildbringshome;

• ensurethattheirchildarrivesatschoolontimeeachday;

• ensurethattheirchildonlymissesschoolforreasonswhichareunavoidableorjustified,suchasillnessordaysofreligiousobservance;

7

• alwaysnotifytheschoolassoonaspossible-preferablyonthefirstmorningofanyabsence;

• confirmthisinwritingwhenthechildreturnstoschool;

• trytoavoidbookingfamilyholidaysduringterm-time;and

• talktotheschooliftheyareconcernedthattheirchildmaybereluctantto go to school.

f. Service Level Agreements38. ThepurposeofaServiceLevelAgreementistosetoutaclearagreementbetweenthe

schoolandthelocalauthorityEducationWelfareServiceontheactionstobetakenbytheschoolandtheEWS.Such documentsgoalongwaytowardsensuringthatthereisconsistencyofapproachandacommonunderstandingaboutwhodoeswhat.LocalauthoritiesshoulddrawupServiceLevelAgreementsthatsetouttheamountofsupportthatschoolscanexpectbasedonclearcriteriaincludingstaffresponsibleforattendanceaswellastheresponsibilitiesoftheschoolontheappropriatenessandtimelinessofreferralsetc.

39. ExamplesofServiceLevelAgreementscanbefoundinSection2.

g. Record keeping40. EWOsshouldmaintainanaccurateandobjectiverecordoftheirongoinginvolvement

withserviceuserstogetherwithdetailsofreferralsandoutcomes.

41. Theuseofstandardisedformscanhelptoexpeditethisprocessandcanincludea:

• referralform;

• initialassessmentform;

• casefile;

• summaryofcontactform.

• recordofsupervision;and

• closuresummary.

ExamplesoftheseformscanbefoundinSection2.

42. MuchoftheEWO’sworkregardingattendanceisrelatedtothelegislativeframeworkandcanresultinprovidinginformationforcourtswhenlegalactionistaken.Itisexpectedthatinmostcircumstances,reportsrequestedconcerningaparticularchildor familywouldbediscussedwiththempriortosubmission.ItisessentialthattheEWOkeepsdocumentaryevidenceofthecaseworkundertaken.

8

h. The referral process 43. Duringthetimetabledvisittotheschool,ananalysisofattendancedatashouldbemade.

TheknowledgeoftheabsenceswillbeafactorcontributingtowhetherareferraltotheEWOisappropriate.BeforeacceptingareferralformoreintensiveworkanEWOshouldlookforevidencethattheschoolitselfhasmadeanefforttoaddresstheattendanceissuethrough:

• 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,requirementsofanyreligiousaffiliation,addressifdifferenttoparent(s)/carer(s),etc;

• assessmentbyschoolofpupil,e.g.ability,academichistory,areasofdifficulty,reason forreferral,attendancedetailsetc;

• parent/carerinformation;includingtheirdateofbirth;

• actionstakenbyschooltoresolvedifficultiesandtheoutcomesoftheseactions;

• otherrelevantinformationrelatingtocontributoryfactorsandanyotherpersons/agenciesinvolved;

• issuesofriske.g.safeguardingorprotectionissues,aggressionorviolenceinfamilyor bythepupil;and

• anyotherinformationpertinenttothecase.

45. Referralsshouldbemadewhen:

• apatternofirregularattendancehasdeveloped;

• aperiodofentrenchednon-attendancehasbecomeestablished;

• letterssentbytheschooltotheparentshavemetwithlittleornoresponse;

• thereisalackofparentalco-operationinensuringachild’sregularattendance;

• apatternofpost-registrationtruancyispersistingdespitetheschool’seffortstopreventit;

• aparentwithdrawsapupilfromschoolhavingexpressedanintentiontoelectivelyeducatehim/herathomebuthavenotformallyderegisteredthepupilbyadvisingthelocalauthorityoftheirintentions;

• apupiliswithdrawnfromschoolbytheparentswhoaremovingtoanotherareaandtheschooldoesnotreceivearequestforthepupil’srecordsfromaschoolinthe new area;

• apupilhasreachedthepercentageabsencetriggersetbytheschool;

• apatternofpersistentlateness(afterthecloseoftheschoolregister)hasdeveloped;

• therearespecificandidentifiablewelfareissueswhicharepreventingapupilfromaccessingeducation;and

9

• wheretherearespecificchildprotectionconcerns,theseshouldbereferreddirectlyto theschool’sChildProtectionOfficer.

The EWO response to a referral

46. ItisgoodpracticefortheEWOtomakeariskassessmentpriortovisitingahome.Each localauthorityshouldhaveastaffHealthandSafetyProtocolthatoutlinesthisprocess.Aspartofthis,theEWOmayberequiredtocollateinformationfromschoolstaff,othermembersoftheServiceand,ifappropriate,otheragencies,forexampletheSocialServicesDepartment,CAMHS,educationalpsychologist,etc.beforemakingavisittothehomeandinterviewingtheparents.ExemplarriskassessmentscanbefoundinSection2.

47. HomevisitsmakeanimportantandappropriatecontributiontotheeffectivenessoftheworkoftheEWS.Decisionsonhomevisitingshouldbemadetakingintoconsiderationthereasonforthevisit,anassessmentofthelevelandlikelihoodofrisk,andeffectiveriskmanagement.Thereisalegalresponsibilityonemployersforthehealthandsafetyofemployeesandallstaffhavearesponsibilityfortheirown,and eachothers,safetyandwell-being.AnexemplarloneworkingpolicycanbefoundinSection2.

48. Thepurposeofthehomevisitvariesfromcasetocasedependingonthecircumstancesoftheworkbeingundertaken.Itisimportantthatstaffacknowledge,andaccepttherequirementthatcontactwithyoungpeopleandtheirparents/carersintheirhomesand inotherplacesinthecommunity,representsanappropriateandimportantelementoftheServicesresponsetofamilies.

Time scale for response

49. Itisgoodpracticetomakeavisitwithin3workingdaysofareferralbeingmadeandawrittenresponseonthereferralformprovidedanddiscussedwiththeheadteacher/yeartutorwithin5workingdays.Whenthereisnoreplyatthehomeandnoresponsehasbeengivenbyparentstoavisitingcard,followupactionshouldbetakeneitherinwriting(copyoflettertobegiventoschool),byaneveningvisitorbycontactingparentsatwork.Ifthereisnosubsequentimprovementinattendanceandifallattemptstocontacttheparent/carerfail,anofficialwarningnoticecanbeissued.

Issues raised by the family / specific action

50. Whereillhealthisafactor,theEWOwillneedtoconfirmthemedicalproblemsidentifiedbythechild/parent(particularlyiftherehavebeenseveralreferralsandtheexplanationforabsencehasbeengivenasillhealth).Ifitisfeltthattheparentshavenotsoughtappropriatemedicalhelpandtheabsencepersists,withtheco-operationoftheparents,areferralshouldbemadetotheschoolnurseorschoolmedicalofficer.Inaddition,whereanillnesssuchasmildasthma,migraineorperiodpainsaregivenasareasonforfrequentorprolongedabsence,amedicalopinionmayneedtobesoughtfromtheschoolnurseorschoolmedicalofficer.

10

51. Wheretheremaybeadditionallearningneedsorproblemsofschoolrefusal/phobia,the EWOwillneedtoconsultwiththespecialeducationalneedsco-ordinator(SENCO)to considerareferraltotheappropriateeducationalneedsadvisoryteacherortheEducationalPsychologist.TheEWOmayalsoneedtodiscusswiththefamilyandchildareferraltotheCAMHSorotheragenciesifappropriate.

52. WherethereissocialservicesinvolvementtheEWOwillneedtoliaisewiththedesignatedsocialworkerinordertodetermineareasofresponsibilityandtoconsiderthe possibilityofajointvisit.

53. Dependingonage,theEWOmayneedtohavediscussedwiththefamilyandtheschoolotheroptions,suchasanalternativeeducationprovision.

54. TheEWOwillneedtoaddressanyissuesraisedbythechildand/orfamilyregardingany difficultiesthatmightpreventregularattendance.Examplesofthiscouldbebullying,curriculumproblems,teacher/pupilrelationships,domesticproblems,financialhardship,drug/alcoholmisuseetc.anddrawupaplanofactionwiththeschooltoaddressthe problems.

55. Assessmentisanon-goingprocessandcomplexcasesmayrequireanumberofvisits.Aftertheinitialassessmenthasbeenmade,theEWO,inliaisonwithschoolstaffandpossiblyotheragencies,willplanacourseofaction.Insomecasesthismayinvolveworkingwithparentstohelpthemtoseetheschool’sviewandvice-versa.Theresolutionofconflictbetweenschoolandhomeandtryingtochangeparentalattitudestowardseducation,areregardedasbeingfundamentaltotheEWS.

11

Procedures for Non-Attendance

Concerns regarding child’s absence

School sends out reasons 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 Officer SMO

Medical problem confirmed

No further action

Or Ongoing monitoring and review meetings

No medical problem found - Letter

sent from School explaining medical

certificate 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)

13

Part 2: Guidance On The Legal Powers To Secure Regular School 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,inrespectofparentswhodonotensuretheirchildren’sregularattendanceatschoolorenrolthematschooloreducationotherwisethanatschool.

58. TheEWSwillmakerelevantassessmentsandactionplansinpartnershipwithpupils,parent(s),schoolstaffandotherrelevantparties,concerningattendanceatschoolor alternativeeducationalprovision.

59. Theuseoflegalactionagainstparentswillbeconsideredaspartofaplannedinterventionwithfamilies.TheEWSmustensureaccountabilityforcasestakentocourtandliaisewithschoolsconcerningsuchcases.

60. TheEWSwillofferinformationtoparentsandpupilsaboutrightsandresponsibilitiesconcerningattendanceandthelegalprocess,duringanyinterventionwiththefamily.

a. Definitions61. Compulsory school age-UnderSection8oftheEducationAct1996,childrenand

youngpeopleshouldattendschoolfromthestartofthefirsttermcommencingaftertheirfifthbirthday.Theendoftermdatesare31March,31Augustand31December.AyoungpersonceasestobeofcompulsoryschoolageonthelastFridayinJuneoftheschoolyearinwhichtheyhavetheir16thbirthday.

62. Thedefinitionof‘parent’issetoutinsection576oftheEducationAct1996andincludes:

• allnaturalparents,whethertheyaremarriedornot;

• anypersonwho,althoughnotanaturalparent,hasparentalresponsibility(asdefinedintheChildrenAct1989)forachildoryoungperson;and

• anypersonwho,althoughnotanaturalparent,hascareofachildoryoungperson.

63. Havingcareofachildoryoungpersonmeansthatapersonwithwhomthechildlivesandwholooksafterthechild,irrespectiveofwhattheirrelationshipiswiththechild,is consideredtobeaparentineducationlaw.

14

64. Walking Distance-AsdefinedbySection3oftheLearnerTravel(Wales)Measure 2008:

a. inrelationtoaprimaryschoolagedchildreceivingeducationatamaintainedschool,anon-maintainedspecialschool,aPupilReferralUnitorindependentschoolnamedinastatementmaintainedforthechild,meanstwomiles(3.218688kilometres),and

b. inrelationtoasecondaryschoolagedchildreceivingeducationatamaintainedschool,anon-maintainedspecialschool,aPupilReferralUnitorindependentschoolnamedinastatementmaintainedforthechild,meansthreemiles(4.828032 kilometres).

65. Ineachcasemeasuredbythenearestavailableroutewhichissafetowalkeitherescortedorunescorted.

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

KeyStage1: 21hours KeyStage2: 23.5hours KeyStage3/4(IncludingYear10only): 24hours KeyStage4(Year11): 25hours

b. Roles and responsibilities67. Ensuringregularschoolattendanceisademandingareaofworkthatdependson

establishingandutilisingcloseworkingrelationshipsbetweenparents,pupils,schools,theEWSandotherprofessionalsworkingwithchildrenandyoungpeopleinsocial,educationalandhealthcaresettings.

68. Akeyelementofanysuccessfulworkingrelationshipisaclearunderstandingofeachperson’sroleandresponsibilities,andassuchthissectionsetsouttoclarifytherolesand responsibilitiesforthosepeopleengagedwithtacklingattendanceissues.

Parent

69. Undersection7oftheEducationAct1996,theparentisresponsibleforensuringthattheirchildofcompulsoryschoolagereceivesefficientfull-timeeducationthatissuitabletotheirchild’sage,abilityandaptitudeandtoanyspecialeducationalneedsthechildmayhave.Thiscanbebyregularattendanceatschool,alternativeprovisionorbyelectivehomeeducation(theparentcanchoosetoprovideeducationfortheirchild).

School

70. SchoolsarerequiredundertheEducation(PupilRegistration)(Wales)Regulations2010totakeanattendanceregistertwiceaday;atthestart of themorningsessionandonceduringtheafternoonsession.Theaccuracyof the registerisimportantinordertosupportanystatutoryinterventionsthatmayberequired.Itshouldbenotedthatitisanoffencenottomaintainaccurateregisters.Detailedguidanceonattendancecodes(revisedin2010)canbefoundinAnnex4.iof the‘InclusionandPupilSupport’guidance document.

15

Local authority

71. Undersection437oftheEducationAct1996,LAshaveadutytoensurethatachildforwhomtheyareresponsibleisreceivingasuitableeducationeitherbyregularattendanceatschoolorotherwise.FurtherinformationcanbefoundinSection4ofthe‘InclusionandPupilSupport’guidancedocument.

72. InSeptember2009theWelshAssemblyGovernmentcommencedSection436AoftheEducationandInspectionsAct2006whichrequiresthatlocalauthoritiesmustmakearrangementstoenablethemtoestablish(sofarasitispossibletodoso)theidentitiesofchildrenresidingintheirareawhoarenotreceivinga‘suitableeducation’.

73. Implementationofthedutyundersection436Ashouldbeintegratedwiththewiderrangeofdutiesplacedonlocalauthorities,includingtheChildren’sAct2004(sections25-29)andtheWelshAssemblyGovernment’sSafeguardingChildrenWorkingTogetherundertheChildren’sAct2004thataimstoimproveoutcomes,andsafeguardandpromotethewelfareofchildren.Thenewdutyshouldstrengthenandcomplementtheseexistingduties.Statutoryguidancetohelppreventchildrenandyoungpeoplemissingeducation,including apracticaltoolkitisavailableontheWelshAssemblyGovernment’swebsite.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)appliesincaseswhenaparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolagefailstoprovethatthechildisreceivingsuitableeducationandwheretheauthoritybelievesthechildshouldattendschool.ASAOmaybeusedtodirectaparenttosendtheirchildtoaspecifiedschool,andshouldbeusedwhenapupil isnotonrollatanyschool.Theyarenotintendedforpupilswhoattendirregularly.

75. ASAOcontinuestobeinforceforaslongasthechildisofcompulsoryschoolage.If thereisacontinuedfailuretoregisterthechild,theLAhastheoptionofreferringthe casetoSocialServicesforconsiderationofcareproceedings.

Process

76. Thereareanumberofcircumstanceswhichmayleadtoachildnotbeingonrollataschool,andthereforetheuseofanSAOmaybeappropriate:

• theparenthasnotregisteredtheirchildwithanyprimaryschool;

• thereisachangeinschoolphase,suchastransitionfromprimarytosecondaryschool;

16

• theparenthasfailedtosecureaplaceattheschooloftheirpreferenceandtheyarefacedwithoptionswhichtheyviewtobeunsuitable;

• theparenthasfailedintheirdutyunderarrangementsforelectivehomeeducationandisreluctanttoengagewithanyschool;and

• childrenfromanotherLAmoveintotheareaandhavebeentakenofftheschoolrollintheirpreviousLA.

77. BeforeservinganSAO,EWOsshouldmakeeveryefforttoengagetheparentandhelpthemtogettheirchildrentoschool.Thismayincludemakingsuretheparentisawareofthelocationofschoolsinthearea,andexplainingandassistingwiththeadmissionor admissionappealarrangementswherenecessary.

78. If,followingengagement,aparenthasstillnotmadearrangementsfortheirchild’seducation,LAsshouldfollowprocedurestoserveanSAO.Thekeystagesinthisprocedurearesummarisedinthefollowingflowchart.

17

LA issues a notice under s437(1) to parents stating:• they are failing in their duty to provide their child with

an education; and• they must satisfy the LA that they are providing an

education at school or otherwise within a specified period of time (not less than 15 days)

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

Notice expires without parents taking action

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

• the intention to serve an SAO• the parent’s 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 parent’s right to nominate a school to be named on

the SAO

or parental response notsufficient enough tosatisfy the LA

15 days expire without parents taking action


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

15 days expire without parents taking action

Parent complies with the requirements of the SAO

LA applies for Education Supervision Order (ESO) under section 36(9), Children’s 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 are educating their child

Parent proves they are educating their child

or

Parents nominate aschool to be named onthe SAO


No further actionSAO Flowchart

18

Format of School Attendance Order:

d. Failure to comply with a School Attendance Order

Legislative basis

Section443,EducationAct1996

Offence

79. BeingaparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolageinrespectofwhomaSAOwasservedwhofailedtocomplywiththerequirementsoftheorder.

Key points

80. Itwillbenecessarytoprovethatthe:

• childisofcompulsoryschoolage;

• parenthascareofthechild,

• parenthasfailedtocomplywiththeorder;

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

• noticeswereservedupontheparent.

Asyou[nameofparent]of[addressofparent],beingtheparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolageintheareaoftheAuthority,havefailedtosatisfytheAuthorityinaccordancewiththerequirementsofthenoticeservedonyouundersection437(1)oftheEducationAct1996bytheAuthorityon[dateofnotice]that[nameofchild]isreceivingsuitableeducation,eitherbyregularattendanceatschoolorotherwise:

Andas,intheopinionoftheAuthority,[nameofchild]shouldattendschool:

Youarerequiredtocause[nameofchild]tobecomearegisteredpupilatthefollowing school:

[Insertfullnameandaddressoftheschoolandomitthewholeorpartofthefollowingwordsasthecaserequires]

beingtheschool[specifiedbytheAuthority][selectedbyyou][determinedbyadirectionoftheSecretaryofStateforEducationandEmployment][astheschooltobenamedinthisOrder][specifiedinthestatementforthechildundersection324oftheEducationAct 1996].

FailuretocomplywiththerequirementsofthisOrderisanoffenceunlessyoucanprovethat[nameofchild]isreceivingsuitableeducationotherwisethanatschool.

Signed[nameofofficer]of[nameofAuthority]LocalAuthority.

[Dated]

19

Statutory Defences

None

Notes

81. Thisoffencecarriesafineuptoamaximumlevelof3onthestandardscale-currently £1,000aparentforeachabsentchild.

82. Unlessitisrevoked,anSAOcontinuestobeinforceforaslongasachildisofcompulsoryschoolage.Incasesofcontinuedfailuretocomply,afurtherprosecutionisnotpossible;anotherSAOhastobemadebeforeasecondprosecutioncanbebrought.

83. ForparentswhodonotcomplywithaSAO,itwouldbenormalpracticetoreferthefamilytoSocialServices.Alternatively,anapplicationcanbemadein theFamilyProceedingsCourtforanEducationSupervisionOrder.

e. Education Supervision Order (ESO)

Legislative basis

Section36,Children’sAct1989(seealsosection447,EducationAct1996)

Application

84. AnEducationSupervisionOrder(ESO)canbeusedtoensureregularschoolattendancewhetherornotachildisenrolledataschool.Itshouldalsoensurethatachildreceivesfull-timeeducationsuitedtotheirage,ability,aptitudeandanyspecialeducationalneeds,andthatparentandchildaregivensufficientsupportandguidance.

85. AnLAhasadutyundersection447oftheEducationAct1996toconsiderapplyingforanESObeforeadecisiontoprosecuteparentsforpoorattendanceorfailuretocomplywithanSAOismade.AnLAcanapplyforanESOinsteadoforaswellasprosecutingtheparents.IfaLAchoosesnottoapplyforanESO,thentheyshouldrecord/provideevidenceoftheconsiderationandthereasonsthatitwasnotfelttobeappropriate.

86. AnESOmakestheLAresponsibleforadvising,supportingandgiving‘directions’tothesupervisedchildandhis/herparent/sinsuchawayastoensurethatthechildisproperlyeducated.ThesedirectionsmustbedefinedbytheLAandshouldaimtobehelpfulinbringingaboutanimprovementinthechild’sattendance(forexampletheLAcoulddirecttheparenttoattendmeetingsattheschoolovertheperiodoftheESO,requireparent/childtokeeptheLAinformedoftheiraddress,orrequiretheparenttoattendparentingclasses).

87. AnESOwillnormallyceasetobeeffective:

• afteroneyear;

• whenachildbecomesovercompulsoryschoolage;and

• whendischargedbythecourtfollowinganapplicationfromthechild,parentsorLA.

20

88. However,anLAcanapplyforanESOtobeextendedforuptothreeyears,ifitisthoughtnecessarytoensurethatthechild’seducationcontinuestoprogress.This mustbedonethreemonthsbeforetheESOisduetoexpire.

89. CourtsmaynotmakeanESOwhenthechildisalreadyinthecareoftheauthority.

Process

90. An‘ESO’isa‘familyproceedings’matterasdefinedbytheChildrenAct1989,which regardsthewelfareofthechildasthemainconcernandisacivilmatter.

91. WhenapplyingforanESO,LAsshouldprovidethecourtwithareportonthechild,whichshouldincludethefollowinginformation:

• recordofattendance,whichgivesinformationaboutattendanceoverthe2 previoustermspriortotheESOapplication,oroveralongerperiodifappropriate.This shouldbepresentedasapercentagebreakdownofattendance,authorisedandunauthorisedabsences;

• relevantdetailsonthechild’scircumstances,including:age,gender,backgroundandanyparticularphysical,emotionaloreducationalneeds(includingspecialeducationalneedsasdefinedbySection312,EducationAct1996)thechildmayhave;

• assessmentofthecausesofthechild’spoorattendance;

• medicalassessment,ifrelevant;

• indicationoftheattitudesofthechild,parent,schoolandotheragenciestowardsthe poorattendance;

• shortdescriptionoftheeffectofworkalreadyundertaken;

• reasonswhyanESOisbeingrequestedandassessmentofhowthechildmightbe disadvantagedshouldanESOnotbemade;

• outlineoftheintendedintervention,includingtargetsfortimingandmonitoring;and

• programmeoftheintendedwork,indicatingroleofchild,parentsandschool,with anindicationofhowtheLAbelievesthiswillhelptoresolvetheproblemand ensurethatthechildattendsschoolregularly.

92. Thecourtmustalsoconsiderthechild’swelfareneeds(alistoftheseisgiveninsection 1(3)oftheChildrenAct1989),andthewishesandfeelingsofthechildneedto besoughtandtakenintoconsideration.

93. AnESOshouldbereviewedatregularintervals,throughdiscussionbetweensupervisingofficersandtheirmanagers.

21

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

Legislative basis

Section444(1),EducationAct1996asamendedbysections3and4oftheLearnerTravel(Wales)Measure2008.

Offence

94. Beingaparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolagethatisregisteredataschoolandwhofailstoensurethattheirchildregularlyattendsthisschool.

Key points

95. Itwillbenecessarytoprovethatthe:

• childisofcompulsoryschoolage

• childisregisteredtotherolloftheschool

• parenthascareofthechild;and

• parenthasfailedtoensurethatthechildregularlyattendsthisschool.

Statutory Defence

96. Achildshallnotbetakentohavefailedtoattendwherethe:

• pupilwasabsentwithleavegrantedbyanauthorisedrepresentativeoftheschool

• pupilwaspreventedfromattendingbyreasonofsicknessofotherunavoidablecause

• absenceoccurredonadayexclusivelysetasideforreligiousobservancebythereligiousbodytowhichthepupil’sparentsbelongs;and

• theLAhasfailedinitsdutyundersection3oftheLearnerTravel(Wales)Measure2008tomakesuitabletransportarrangementsinrelationtothechildtofacilitatetheirattendanceeverydayattheplacetheyreceivertheireducation,orhasfailedinitsdutyundersection4ofthesameMeasuretomakeothertravelarrangements.

97. Therearethreepossiblecircumstanceswhenthisfinalbulletpointwouldapply.Thefirstrelatestoparentalchoiceofschool.Whereparentschoosetosendtheirchildtoaschoolotherthantheirlocalcatchmentschool,LAsassumetheparentbecomesresponsibleforthechild’stransportandtheirboarding/accommodation.Iftheparentwishestochangeschooltothatofthelocalcatchmentschoolatalaterdate,theLAwillseektoenablethechildtoregisteratthatschool.

98. Thesecondrelatestopermanentlyexcludedpupils.Throughbecomingpermanentlyexcluded,achildcouldberequiredtoattendaschoolotherthanthelocalcatchmentschool.LAsinformparentsthattheybecomeliableforfundingtransportationtoandfromschoolinthiscircumstance.

99. Thethirdrelatestoprimaryschoolagedpupilswherethelocalcatchmentschoolhaslegallyimposedlimitationsonpupilnumbers/classsizes.Thenearestprimaryschoolmay notbeabletoaccommodatethepupilduetothelimitations.

22

100.ThespecialpositionofTravellerfamiliesisrecognisedinlaw(section444(6),Education Act1996).Travellerparentsareprotectedfromconvictioniftheparentcan demonstrate:

• heorsheisengagedinatradeorbusinessofsuchanatureasrequirestravelfromplacetoplace

• thechildhasattendedataschoolasaregisteredpupilasregularlyasthenatureof thattradeorbusinesspermits;and

• thechild,whereagedsixorover,hasattendedschoolforatleast200sessions(half days)duringtheprecedingtwelvemonths.

Notes

101.Section444(1)createsanabsolute/strictliabilityoffencewhichcarriesafineuptoamaximumlevelof3onthestandardscale-currently£1,000aparentforeachabsent child.

102.Offencesundersection444aresummaryonlywhichmeanstheyaretriedbeforemagistratesandthereisnorecoursetoahearinginhighcourt.

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

Legislative basis

Section444(1A),EducationAct1996(asamendedbysection72,CriminalJusticeandCourt ServiceAct2000).

Offence

103.SinceMarch2001therehasbeenanaggravatedoffencewhereaparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolagewho,knowingthattheirchildisfailingtoattendregularlyat school,failswithoutreasonablejustificationtocausetheirchildtoattend.

Key points

104.Itwillbenecessarytoprovethatthe:

• childisofcompulsoryschoolage

• childisregisteredattheschool

• parenthascareofthechild

• parent knows the child is failing to attend regularly; and

• parent fails without reasonable justification to cause their child to attend regularly.

Statutory defences

Asforsection444(1)

105.Itisalsoadefencetoshowthatheorshehadreasonablejustificationforhisorherfailuretocausethechildtoattendschoolregularly.

23

Notes

106.Underthishigheroffenceawarrantcanbeissuedcompellingaparenttoattendcourt.

107.Section444(1A)createsanabsolute/strictliabilityoffencewhichcarriesafineuptoamaximumlevelof4onthestandardscale-currently£2,500aparentforeachabsentchild,orimprisonmentuptoamaximumof3months,orboth.

108.Ifthecourtfindsaparentnotguiltyofanoffenceundersection444(1A),butissatisfiedthataparentisguiltyofanoffenceundersection444(1),thecourtmayfindtheparentguiltyofthatoffence.

109.Wheretheprosecutionisbeingbroughtundersection444(1A),thelocalauthoritymayaskthecourttoissueawarrantinordertocompeltheparenttoattendcourt.Thelegaladvisorincourtshouldbeconsultedastotheproceduretobefollowedineachparticularcase.Thecourtmaychoosetoissueawarrantwithorwithoutbail.If a warrantisissuedwithbailthenthedefendantisarrestedbythePoliceandgrantedbailontheconditionthattheyattendcourtonthenewdateofthehearing.Ifawarrantisissuedwithoutbail,thenthedefendantisarrestedandplacedbeforethenextavailablecourtwhereadecisionistakenastohowtoproceedwiththecase.

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

Legislative basis

110.Section444(ZA),EducationAct1996(asinsertedbysection116,EducationAct2005).Thisextendsthecircumstancesinwhichaparentcanbeprosecutedundersection444forfailingtoensurethattheirchildattendsthealternativeprovisionthathasbeenmadeforthechild.Theparentmustfirsthavebeengivennoticeinwriting,orbyothereffectivemeans,ofthealternativeprovision.

111.Section29(3),EducationAct2002(asamendedbysection115,EducationAct2005)givesthegoverningbodythepowertodirectapupiltoattendalternativeeducationalprovisionifthepupilisnotinattendancebutisregisteredattheschool,e.g.pupilsexcludedforafixedperiodorapupilstillontheregisterawaitingappealfollowinga permanentexclusion.

Application

112.Whereachildisofcompulsoryschoolage,butisnotregisteredatanyschooland:

• anLAhasmadearrangementsundersection19ofthe1996Actfortheprovisionofeducationforthechildotherwisethanataschool,oratthechild’shome;and

• noticeinwritingofthearrangementshasbeengiventothechild’sparents.

113.Iftheparentofthechildthenfailstoensureregularattendanceatthealternativeprovision,thentheyareguiltyofanoffenceundersection444.

24

114.Whereachildofcompulsoryschoolagehasbeenexcludedfromarelevantschool,and:

• remainsforthetimebeingaregisteredpupilattheschool

• isrequiredbytheappropriateauthorityfortheschooltoattendaplaceoutsideschoolpremisesforthepurposeofreceivinganyinstructionortraining;and

• noticeinwritingoftherequirementhasbeengiventothechild’sparents.

115.Iftheparentofthechildthenfailstoensureregularattendanceatthisalternativeprovision(nottheschooltheyareonrollat),thentheyareguiltyofanoffenceundersection444.

116.However,itisadefencetosuchproceedingsifthechildisreceivingsuitableeducationotherwisethanbyregularattendanceataschoolorataplacementionedinsection 444ZA(1).

Notes

117.Section444(ZA)providesforprosecutionsundersection444(1)and444(1A),whicharecoveredindetailonpages21-23.

118.Methodsinwhichnoticescanbeservedaredefinedinsection572oftheEducationAct 1996:

a) bydeliveringittothatperson,or

b) byleavingitattheirusualorlastknownplaceofresidence,or

c) bysendingitinaprepaidletteraddressedtotheparentatthatplace.

119.Howeversection444(ZA)alsoprovidesthatnoticeofalternativeprovisionarrangementsmaybegiventoachild’sparentsbyanyeffectivemeans.

i. Parenting Contracts

Legislative basis

120.Section444(1)oftheEducationAct1996providesthataparentcommitsanoffenceifhisorhercompulsoryschoolagechildwhoisaregisteredpupilfailstoattendschoolregularly.ItisthecommissionofthatoffencethatcantriggertheuseofaParentingContract.Theproofrequiredthattheoffencehasbeencommittedisthesameasthatwhichwouldberequiredforaprosecutionforthestrictliabilityoffenceundersection 444(1)oftheEducationAct1996.

25

Application

121.Ifapupilfailstoattendschoolregularlyorisexcludedfromschool,theLAorschoolmayconsiderwhetheritwouldbeappropriatetoofferaParentingContracttotheparent.A ParentingContractcanbeissuedwheretheschoolorLAhavereasontobelievethatapupilhasbehavedinsuchawayasto:

• cause,orbelikelytocause,significantdisruptiontotheeducationofotherpupilsorsignificantdetrimenttothewelfareofthatpupilorotherpupilsortothehealthorsafetyofanystaff;or

• formpartofapatternofbehaviourwhichifcontinuedcouldleadtothepupilbeingexcluded.

122.Thebehaviourinquestioncantakeplaceatschoolorelsewhereifreasonablefortheschooltoregulateit.Whatisreasonablewilldependonallthecircumstancesandwillbesetoutintheschool’sbehaviourpolicy

123.AParentingContractisaformalwrittenagreementbetweenaparentandeithertheLAorthegoverningbodyofaschoolandshouldcontain:

• astatementbytheparentthattheyagreetocomplyforaspecifiedperiodwithwhateverrequirementsarespecifiedintheContract;and

• astatementbytheLAorgoverningbodyagreeingtoprovidesupporttotheparentforthepurposeofcomplyingwiththerequirementsoftheContract.

124.EntryintoaParentingContractisvoluntary.TheparentcannotbecompelledtoenterintoaParentingContractiftheydonotwishtodoso.Equally,thereisnoobligationontheLAorgoverningbodytoofferaParentingContractincasesofnon-attendanceorexclusion.

125.ParentingContractswill,however,oftenbeausefultoolinidentifyingandfocusingontheissuesbehindthenon-attendanceormisbehaviourandindevelopingaproductiverelationshipwithparentstoaddresstheseissues.

126.TheLAorgoverningbodyofaschoolshouldtakeintoaccountanumberofissuesbeforedecidingtoenterintoaParentingContract.Theseincludewhetherotheragenciesarealreadyinvolvedinworkingwiththepupilandfamily,whetheraParentingContractwouldcomplementorjoin-upthiswork,thetypeofsupportthatmightbehelpfultotheparentandhowaParentingContractarrangedbytheLAorgoverningbodywillbefunded.

Notes

127.ThepartyenteringintotheParentingContractwiththeparent(namelytheLAorthegoverningbodyofaschool)isresponsibleforbearingthecostsofanysupportprovidedunderaParentingContractalthoughthesecostsmayberecoveredfromanotherbodye.g.aschoolmayincurthecostsbutthesewillberecoveredfromthelocalauthority.

26

128.ThereisnoliabilityintortorcontractforbreachingaParentingContract.

129.However,incasesofexclusionfromschool,failurebytheparenttocomplywiththeContractwouldbearelevantconsiderationfortheLAindecidingwhethertoapplyforaParentingOrderand,indecidingwhethertomakeaParentingOrder,thecourtmusttakeintoaccountanyfailurebytheparenttocomplywiththerequirementsspecifiedinaParentingContract.

130.Similarly,incasesoftruancy,failuretocomplywithaContractmayleadtheLAtoconsiderprosecutingtheparentforfailingtoensuretheirchildattendsschoolregularlyinwhichcaseevidencethattheparentfailedtocomplywiththeContractcouldbepresentedtothecourt.

131.Itisthereforeimportantthatanybreachofthecontractisrecordedsothatitcanbepresentedtothecourtwhenitbecomesnecessary.

132.MoredetailedguidanceonParentingContractscanbefoundinAnnex3iofInclusionandPupilSupport.

j. Parenting Orders

Legislative basis

133.Section20oftheAnti-socialBehaviourAct2003andsections97to99oftheEducationandInspectionsAct2006setoutprovisionsforlocalauthoritiestoapplyforParentingOrdersforexclusionfromschool,seriousmisbehaviourandtruancy.

Application

134.ThecourtmaymakeaParentingOrderinanumberofcircumstances,includingfollowingaconvictionforanoffenceundersection443or444oftheEducationAct1996.The courtmustbesatisfiedthattheOrderwouldbedesirableintheinterestsofpreventingthecommissionofanyfurtheroffenceunderthosesections.TheParentingOrderisanancillaryorderandcannotbeasentenceinitsownright-thereforeifgivenwillbeinadditiontoanyotherpenaltyimposed.

135.BeforemakingaParentingOrderonachildoryoungpersonunder16,thecourtmustobtainandconsiderinformationaboutthefamily’scircumstancesandthelikelyimpactofanOrderonthosecircumstances.ThisisusuallyintheformofawrittenororalreportpreparedbytheEWSasappropriate.TheEWSshouldincludethisincourtreport information.

136.ParentingOrdersaredesignedtohelpandsupportparentsinaddressingtheirchild’sproblembehaviour.Theyareintendedtobeameansofsupportratherthana punishment.

27

137.TheParentingOrderconsistsof2elements:

• Arequirementontheparenttoattendcounsellingorguidancesessionswheretheywillreceivehelpandsupportindealingwiththeirchild.ThisisthecoreoftheParentingOrderandlastsfor3months.

• Arequirementontheparenttocomplywithsuchrequirementsthatarespecifiedintheorder.Thiscouldincludeensuringthatthepupilattendsschooleverydayorarebackhomebyacertaintime.Section8(4)oftheCrimeandDisorderAct1998providesthatthiselementcanlastupto12months.However,nosuchrequirementsneedbespecifiediftherehasbeenapreviousorderinrespectoftheparent.

138.TheOrdercanbemadeononeorbothparentsandtheirconsentisnotrequired.

139.ParentingOrderscanbemadeagainsttheparentofthechildinthecareoftheLocalAuthority,butcareshouldbetakenthatthisisappropriate.Thecourtshouldonlyconsiderthiswhenitbelievesthattheparentsorguardianswouldbenefitfromthehelpandsupportoffered,inthatitmayleadtothechildeventuallybeingabletoreturn home.

140.AllParentingOrdersaresupervisedbya‘responsibleofficer’.Theresponsibleofficermeansoneofthefollowingwhoisspecifiedintheordernamely:

a. anofficerofalocalauthority,andwiththeirconsent

b. aheadteacherorapersonnominatedbyaheadteacher.

141.Itistheroleoftheresponsibleofficertoarrangeprovisionofcounsellingorguidancesessionsandensurethattheparentcomplieswithanyadditionalrequirements.The counsellingandguidancesessionslastforupto3monthswithnomorethanonesessionaweek.Theycanbedeliveredonaone-to-onebasisorinagroupformat.The majorityofOrdersaredeliveredthroughgroupsasthisoffersparentsthe opportunitytogainsupportfromotherparentsexperiencingsimilarissues.

142.Additionalrequirementsmayrunforupto12monthsalongsidetheparentingsupportandguidance.Theycouldincludethattheyoungperson:

• attendsschoolsorothereducationalprovision;

• avoidscontactwithotherspecificchildren;

• avoidsvisitingcertainareasatcertaintimes;

• isbackhomebyacertaintime;and

• requiresparenttoattendaspecificprogrammesuchasangermanagement.

143.OnceaparenthassuccessfullycompletedanOrder,furthersupportcanbeofferedon a voluntarybasisifappropriate.

144.Iftheparent,withoutreasonableexcuse,failstocomplywithanOrder,thenbreachproceedingsmustbeconsidered.Theresponsibleofficermusttakeallnecessaryactiontocontacttheparentandseektore-engagethem.However,ifthisfailstheparentmustbetakenbacktotheMagistratesCourtandprosecutedforbreachoftheOrder.There will

28

beahearingtodetermineguiltand,ifconvicted,theparentwillbeliabletoafinenotexceedinglevel3andthecourtmayalsoconsideranyothersentenceavailableforanon-imprisonableoffence.

k. Amendments to legislation relating to Parenting Contracts and Parenting Orders

145.TheWelshAssemblyGovernmentintroducedParentingContractsfortruancyandexclusionandParentingOrdersforexclusioninMay2006asanotherinterventionavailabletopromotebetterschoolattendanceandbehaviour.TheprimarylegislationiscontainedintheAnti-SocialBehaviourAct2003withfurtherdetailsetoutintheEducation(ParentingOrders)(Wales)Regulations2006.

146.From5thJanuary2011sections97and99oftheEducationandInspectionsAct2006extendtheavailabilityofParentingContractsandParentingOrdersinrespectofmisbehaviourin school.

• Section97extendstheuseofparentingcontractssothattheymaybeusedforseriousmisbehaviouraswellasexclusion.Italsoclarifiesthatthebehaviourinquestioncantakeplaceatschool,orelsewhereifreasonablefortheschooltoregulateit.

• Section99addsarequirementforcourtstotakeintoaccountthefailureofparentstoattendareintegrationinterviewinconsideringwhethertoissueaparentingorder. It alsoallowsregulationstosetoutarrangementsfor‘cross-border’or‘cross-school’pupils.

147.Inadditiontothisfrom5thJanuary2011newregulationsonParentingOrdersandParentingContractswillbringthefollowingextraprovisionsintoforce:

• Wherethepupillivesinoneauthority,butattendsschoolatanother,thelocalauthoritywherethepupilattendsschoolhasthepowertoapplyforaParentingOrderorenterintoaParentingContract.Theauthorityofresidencecoulddosowithagreementfromtheeducatingauthority.InthecaseofapermanentlyexcludedpupiltheauthorityofresidencehasthepowertoapplyforParentingOrderorenterintoaParentingContract.Inthiscasetheeducatingauthoritymayalsodosowiththeagreementfromtheauthorityofresidence.

• WhereapermanentlyexcludedpupilhasmovedschoolsthenewschoolhasthepowertoenterintoaParentingContracts.Theoriginalschoolmayalsodosowiththeagreementofthenewschool.

• WheremorethanonebodyhasthepowertoapplyforaParentingOrderorenterintoaParentingContract(e.g.schoolandlocalauthority)theoneproposingtoexercisethepowermustconsultwitheachotherbody.

• Whereanorganisationisproposingtousethesepowerstheymustrequestinformationfromanyotherbodywhichmaybeabletoalsousethepowerstodecidewhetherthisisthebestcourseofaction,toavoidmultipleapplicationsorcontractsandtodecidewhetheranorderoracontractispreferable.

29

• ThecostsoftheParentingOrderorContractisbornebythebodymakingtheapplicationorenteringintotheContractalthoughthesemayberecoveredfromanotherbodybyagreement.Forexampleaschoolmayincurthecostsbutthesewillberecoveredfromthelocalauthority.

l. Prosecution guidance and policies148.Prosecutionshouldbeaplannedinterventioninthosecaseswhereitisidentifiedtobe

appropriate.Itisatoolwhich,ifappliedconsistently,canservetoprotectachild’srighttoeducationandoffersawayofengagingparentswhohavefailedtoco-operatewithpreviousinterventionstoimproveattendance.

149.LAshavearesponsibilitytoensurethattheirprosecutionprocessistransparent,consistentandfair.ThisshouldtaketheformofaclearlywrittenstatementofhowtheLAwilladdressnon-attendance,whichshouldberegularlyupdatedandavailabletoallinterestedparties.

150.WhilsteachLAwillhaveadistinctpolicydevelopedtoaddresstheirlocalcircumstances,aprosecutionpolicyshould:

• provideaclearstatementoftheLA’sdutiesandresponsibilities;

• incorporatesafeguardstopromoteafairandconsistentservice;

• incorporateworkpractices;

• identifyprioritiesforintervention;

• provideaclearstructurefordecision-making,includingthecriteriaandtimescalefor prosecution;

• coverarrangementsforsupervision,reviewandmonitoringcasework;

• incorporatedetailsofmulti-agencyapproaches;

• addressissuesofconfidentiality,equalityofopportunity,therightsofparentsandchildren;and

• identifyarrangementsformonitoringandevaluationofpracticesandprocedures.

Formally Notifying a Parent

151.Formalwarnings(usually2)aresenttoparentsbeforeproceedingsarecommenced,butthisisnotattheoutsetofEWScasework.Thelegalimplicationsofnon-schoolattendanceshould,ofcourse,bemadeclearatanearlystageofintervention,butcareshouldbetakentoavoidprejudicingacollaborativeapproachtounderlyingproblems.

m. Decision to prosecute152.TheLAmustbesatisfiedthatprosecutionisjustifiedintermsoftheAttorney-General’s

GuidelinesforCrownProsecutors.(TheCodeforCrownProsecutorscanbefoundat:www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution).

30

153.TheCrownProsecutionService(CPS)providesguidancetocrownprosecutors,settingoutthegeneralprincipleswhichshouldbeappliedwhenmakingdecisionsaboutprosecutionstoensurethattheyarefairandconsistent.

154.TheCPSadvisesaprosecutionislikelytobeappropriateif:

• aconvictionislikelytoresultinasignificantsentence;

• thedefendantwasinapositionofauthorityortrust;

• thereisevidencetheoffencewaspremeditated;

• thedefendant’spreviousconvictionsorcautionsarerelevanttothepresentoffence;

• thedefendantisallegedtohavecommittedtheoffencewhileunderanorderofthe court;

• therearegroundforbelievingthattheoffenceislikelytobecontinuedorrepeated; and

• theoffence,althoughnotseriousinitself,iswidespreadintheareawhereitwas committed.

155.Aprosecutionislesslikelytobeneededif:

• thecourtislikelytoimposeanominalpenalty

• thedefendanthasalreadybeenmadethesubjectofasentenceandanyfurtherconvictionwouldbeunlikelytoresultintheimpositionofanadditionalsentenceor order,unlessthenatureoftheparticularoffencerequiresaprosecution

• therehadbeenalongdelaybetweentheoffencetakingplaceandthedateofthe trial;and

• thedefendantiselderlyoris,orwasatthetimeoftheoffence,sufferingfromsignificantmentalorphysicalillhealth,unlesstheoffenceisseriousand/orthereis a realpossibilitythatitmayberepeated.

156.Assuch,anLAmustbesatisfiedthatanyprosecutionisjustifiedintermsoftheaboveguidelines.Theyshouldalsoconsiderfactorssuchas:

• Howpooristheattendancelevel?

• Isthereahistoryofpoorattendance?

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

• Havetheschoolauthorisedtheabsence;ifsoforwhatreason?

• Aretheparentsawareoftheabsence?

• Howmuchcontrol/influencedotheparentshaveoverthechild?

• Howco-operativearetheparents?

• Whatarethefamilycircumstances?

• Whatisthechild’sviewandhowfarshouldthisbetakenintoaccount(e.g.ageofchild).

• Whatworkhasalreadybeenundertakenwiththefamily?Howeffectivehasthisbeen?

• Istheresufficientevidencetosupportaprosecution?

31

• Wouldaprosecutionresolvetheattendanceproblem?

• Wouldprosecutionbeinthepublicinterest?

n. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)157.ThePoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984(PACE)setsouttheprinciplesoffairness

andopennessintheinvestigationofcrime.Incarryingouttheirdutiesininvestigatingandprosecutingparentsfornon-attendanceoftheirchildren,LAswillfallwithinPACEwhenevertheyinterviewaparentaboutthenonattendanceoftheirchildwithaviewtoobtainingevidenceforaprosecution.IfaLAdoesnotcomplywiththerelevantprovisionsofthePACECodesofpractice,evidenceobtainedinaninterviewmaybeinadmissibleincourtandhenceputtheentireprosecutionatrisk.ByfollowingPACE,the LAcaninvitethecourttodrawaninferenceifaparentraisesmattersintheirdefencelaterintheproceedingswhichtheyfailedtoraiseatinterview.

158.LAsshouldtaketheirownlegaladviceabouttheuseofPACEinspecificcases.

159.FormoreinformationaboutPACEandlatestversionsofthePACEcodesgotohttp://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/pace-code-intro/

FurtherguidanceontheuseofPACE

160.PACEcameintoeffecton1stJanuary1986andsetsouttheconductthatPoliceorpersonsotherthanPoliceOfficerswhoarechargedwiththedutyofinvestigatingoffencesorchargingoffendersshouldobservewhencarryingouttheseduties(section69(9)PoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984).ThisincludesEWOsandotherLAofficialsinvolvedininvestigatingandprosecutingparentsundersection444oftheEducationAct1996.

161.PACEcodesofpracticeareissuedinrelationtopowersconferredundertheAct,which explainhowtheprinciplesshouldbeinterpretedinpractice.Inthecaseofirregularschoolattendance,thecodeswhichEWOsandLAsneedtobeawareofare:

162.CodeC-inrelationtointerviewingsuspects-particularly,theparentshould:

• understandthebasisoftheinterview;

• bemadeawareofhisorherrights(tosilenceandlegalrepresentation);and

• haveaccesstolegaladvice,interpretersandappropriateadults(e.g.whentheparenthasmentalhealthproblems)asappropriate.

163.Theinterviewshouldalsoberecordedeitherontapeorbywrittennote.

164.CodeE-Thissetsouttheprocedurestobefollowedinthetaperecordingofinterviewswithsuspectsandthehandlingandsecurityoftapes.

32

When should local authorities use PACE?

165.ThePACEcodesofpracticesetoutaframeworkofconductinganinvestigationtakingintoaccountprinciplesoffairnessandequity,andshouldbeviewedasbestpractice.As such,wewouldexpectLAstoworkwithinthespiritofPACEwheninvestigatingoffencesfornon-attendance.Thisensuresthatparentsareclearabouttheoffence,understandtheirrightsandresponsibilitiesandhaveaccesstosupportwhereappropriate.

166.LAsshouldtakelegaladviceaboutwhethertoapplythePACEActtocaseworkand,ifsothepointatwhichitshouldbeapplied.However,asaguide:

Prosecutionsundersection444(1)

167.UnderthissectiontheLAneedstoshowthatthechildfailedtoattendregularlyattheschoolwithoutauthorisation.

168.Thisprosecutionreliesondocumentaryevidenceprovidedfromtheschool,the attendancerecord,andassuchthereisnoneedtoobtainevidencethroughinterviewingtheparent,ortousesuchevidenceincourt.

169.Therefore,whilstitisgoodpracticetoactinaccordancewiththePACECodeofPractice,theLAdoesnotneedtofollowthecodeswhenprosecutingunderthissection.

170.However,whereparentsareaggressiveoruncooperative,theuseofPACEwouldbeappropriate.Ifcircumstancesshouldarisewhere,forwhateverreason,itwasnotpossibletocautiontheparent(s),prosecutionshouldgoaheadwithoutthecautionbeingadministeredandtheEWSwouldthenfollowtheagreedPACEguidelines.

Prosecutionsundersection444(1A)

171.UnderthissectiontheLAneedstoshowboththatthechildfailedtoattendregularlyattheschoolwithoutauthorisation,andthattheparentknewandfailedwithoutreasonablejustificationtocausethechildtodoso.

172.Section444(1A)proceedingsareonlyusedwherepreviousprosecutionshavefailedandhenceitcanthereforebeassumedthattheparent(s)areawarethattheirchildisnotregularlyattendingschool.AspecificfinalwarningisthenissuedbeforeSection444(1A)proceedingsarecommenced.

173.LAsmaywellneedtoconductinterviewswiththeparent,inordertoestablishtheextentoftheirknowledgeofthenon-attendanceandanyreasonablejustificationfornotcausingtheirchildtoattend.ShouldtheLAwishtouseevidenceobtainedduringtheseinterviewsaspartoftheircaseforaprosecutionthenitshouldhavebeenobtainedwithinthePACEcodesofpractice.

174.WhilstfailuretocomplywiththecodesissuedunderPACEwillnot,initself,makeacase-workerliabletocivilorcriminalproceedings,itcouldleadtotheexclusionofevidenceobtainedinbreachofthecodesandthusjeopardisetheentireprosecution.

33

Complying with PACE

Code C - What you need to know

Basis of Interview

175.Beforeaskinganyquestionsrelatingtothepotentialprosecution,theEWOshouldexplaintotheparentthebasisonwhichtheinterviewisbeingconductedi.e.thattheLAisconsideringprosecutingtheparentunders444(1A)EducationAct1996.Theyshouldexplainwhattheoffenceisandcheckthattheparentunderstandswhathasbeensaid.

Right to leave and right to legal representation

176.Theparentshouldalsobemadeawarethattheyarenotbeingheldunderarrestandarefreetogoatanytime.Theyshouldalsobeinformedoftheirrighttoindependentlegalrepresentationandadviceattheinterviewiftheysowish.Parentsshouldtaketheirownlegaladviceastowhetherlegalaidmaybeavailabletothem.

Caution

177.TheEWOorLAofficialconductingtheinterviewshouldalsocautiontheparentasfollows:

Youdonothavetosayanything,butitmayharmyourdefenceifyoudonotmentionwhenquestionedsomethingwhichyoulaterrelyonincourt.Anythingyoudosaymaybegiveninevidence.

178.TheEWOshouldsatisfyhimselforherselfthattheparentunderstandstheeffectofthecaution.Ifthereisanybreakintheinterview,theparentmustberemindedthattheyarestillundercaution.Thiswouldalsoapplyifforexamplethecautionisincludedinaletterinvitingtheparenttothemeeting.

Interpreter

179.IfaparenthasdifficultyinunderstandingEnglishandwishestohaveaninterpreter,LAs shouldarrangeforasuitableinterpretertobepresentattheinterview.

Appropriate Adult

180.Insomecases,theremaybeconcernsovertheparent’smentalhealth.IftheLAbelievesthattheparentissufferingfromamentaldisorderorisotherwisementallyvulnerable,thecautionshouldbegivenandtheinterviewconductedinthepresenceofanappropriateadult.Thismaybetheadultwhoisnormallyresponsiblefortheircare,a mentalhealthworkerorsocialworkerexperiencedindealingwithmentallyvulnerablepeopleoranotherresponsibleadult,butmustnotbesomeoneemployedbythelocalauthorityinthesamedepartmentastheinterviewingofficer

34

181.Aninterviewshouldnotbecarriedoutif:

• theparentismentallyvulnerableandthereisnoappropriateadultavailable;

• theparentisundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs;and

• theparentissufferingfromillness,ailmentorotherconditionwhichmayimpairtheirabilitytounderstandandanswerthequestionsputtothemininterview.

Record of the interview

182.Anaccuraterecordmustbemadeofeachinterviewstatingtheplace,timeatwhichit beginsandendsand(ifdifferent)thetimetherecordismade.

183.Ifpossible,theinterviewshouldbetaperecorded(seeguidanceoncodeEbelow).However,thiswilloftennotbepossibleforLAs.InmostattendancecasesinterviewsbetweentheLAofficerandtheparentwillberecordedthroughawrittennote.

184.Ifthisisthecase,aspreciseanoteaspossibleshouldbetaken(preferablyverbatim)duringtheinterviewandtheparentshouldbegiventheopportunitytoreadthenoteandtosignittoverifythatitiscorrectortoindicatewhichareasheorsheconsidersittobeinaccurate.Thisrequiresthepresence,wheneverpossible,ofasecondLAofficerto takethenote.

185.Ifaninterpreterispresent,heorsheshouldmakeacontemporaneousnoteoftheinterviewinthelanguageofthepersonbeinginterviewed.Sufficienttimeshouldbeallowedfortheinterpretertomakeanoteofeachquestionandansweraftereachhasbeenputorgivenandinterpreted.

Code E - What you need to know186.LAsoftenmaynothaverecordingequipmenttotaperecordinterviewswithparents.

If theydonothaveaccesstotheequipmentorataperecordedinterviewisimpractical,LAsshouldsimplyensurethatanaccuratewrittennoteismadeoftheinterviewassetoutabove.However,ifLAsareabletotaperecordtheinterview,theyshouldfollowtheguidelinessetoutbelow.

187.Ifaninterviewisrecorded,itshouldberecordedopenlyandpreferablyontwotapesonadoublecassettedeck.Theinterviewershouldstatethattheinterviewisbeingrecorded.Thetapesshouldbecleanandunwrappedandloadedintothemachinein the parent’s presence.

188.Oncerecordinghasstarted,theinterviewershould:

• statetheirnameandpositionandthenameandpositionofanyotherinterviewer present;

• asktheparentandanyotherpartypresenttoidentifythemselvesforthetape;

• statethedate,timeandplaceoftheinterview;and

• confirmthattheparentwillbegivenanoticeaboutwhatwillhappentothetapes.

35

189.Iftheparenthasimpairedhearing,awrittennoteoftheinterviewshouldalsobemade.Iftheparentobjectstotheinterviewbeingtaperecorded,theyshouldbeaskedtorecordtheirobjectionsonthetapebeforeitisswitchedoff.Iftheywillnotrecordtheirobjections,theinterviewershouldrecordwhattheyunderstandthesetobeonthetapeinstead.Awrittennoteoftheinterviewshouldthenbemadeassetoutabove.

190.Thetakingofanybreakandreasonforitshouldberecordedonthetape.Afteranybreak,theparentshouldberemindedthattheyarestillundercautionorthecautionshouldbegivenagain.

191.Attheendoftheinterview,theparentshouldbeaskediftheywishtoclarifyoraddanything.Thetimeshouldberecorded,thetaperecorderswitchedoffandonetape(the mastertape)sealedwithalabeltobesignedbytheinterviewer,parentandanythirdparty(e.g.solicitororappropriateadult).Ifthereisasecondtape,thiscanbeused asaworkingcopy.

192.Theparentshouldthenbehandedanoticeexplaininghowthetaperecordingwillbeused[e.g.asevidenceincourt],arrangementsforaccesstothetape[e.g.byattendingat LAofficesorrequestingacopyofthetapebypost]and,ifitisdecidedtoproceedwiththeprosecution,acopyofthetapeassoonaspracticable.Copiesshouldbemadefromtheunsealedtape(theworkingcopy).Whereitisonlypossibletorecordononetape,acopymaybetakenfromthesealedtape,butarecordmustbemadeofthetime,date,place,personspresentandactionstakenwhenthesealwasbroken[e.g.“tapeplacedintaperecorderandplayedsothatcopycouldbemade”].

o. Disclosure193.TheCriminalProcedureandInvestigationsAct1996(CPIA)setsoutcertainobligationsof

disclosureandissupportedbyacodeofpractice(CriminalProcedureandInvestigationsAct1996,CodeofPractice),whichisprimarilyconcernedwiththerecordingandretentionofmaterialandevidence.

194.EWOandLAstaffinvestigatingorprosecutingunderSection444oftheEducationAct1996shouldactinaccordancewiththeCriminalProcedureandInvestigationsAct1996(CPIA)andtherelevantprovisionsoftheCPIAcodeofpractice.

195.EWOsandLAStaffinvolvedinprosecutionsforschoolnon-attendanceshouldalsoactinaccordancewiththeAttorneyGeneral’sGuidanceonDisclosureissuedin2000.

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

What should you disclose?

196.TheLAmustdisclosetotheparentanymaterialonwhichitintendstorelyinsupportofitscaseandanymaterialwhichmightundermineitscaseorsupporttheparent’scase.Thestagesandprocessofdisclosingsuchmaterialaresetoutbelow.

36

How does disclosure take place?

197.FirstofalltheLAshouldproduceasummaryoftheircasesettingoutthefactsonwhichtheLAisrelying.

198.Iftheparentputsinanotguiltyplea,theLAshouldproducealistofallthematerialwhichithaswhichsupportsorunderminestheLA’scase,settingoutwhetherthematerialwillbeservedontheparent(i.e.copiesmadeandsenttohimorher)or,ifnot,whereitcanbeinspected.Thisisknownasprimarydisclosure.

199.Theparent(orhisorhersolicitors)maythenserveadefencestatementsettingoutthenatureofthedefenceandanymattersonwhichtheytakeissue.TheLAshouldreadthe defencestatementcarefullyandconsiderwhethertheyhaveanymaterialwhichithasnotpreviouslydisclosed(“unusedprosecutionmaterial”)andwhichmightreasonablybeexpectedtoassistthedefencetheparenthasputforwardinthedefencestatement.Anysuchmaterialmustbedisclosed.Thisisknownassecondarydisclosure.

200.Theparent(orhisorhersolicitors)mayalsomakerequestsforspecificdisclosuree.g. oftheschoolrecords.Suchrequestsshouldbedealtwithpromptly.However,theLAorEWOshouldbealerttospeculativerequests.Materialshouldonlybedisclosedifitisdirectlyrelevanttothecasei.e.ifitwillsupportorundermineeithertheLA’scaseortheparent’scase.

201.WheretheLArefusestodisclosematerialrequested(e.g.ifitdoesnotconsideritisrelevanttothecase),thedefencemayapplyundersection8oftheCPIAfordisclosureto beorderedbythecourt.Similarly,thedefencemayapplytothecourtformaterialheldbyathirdpartytobedisclosed.Insuchcases,thedefencemustsatisfythecourtundertheCriminalProcedure(AttendanceofWitnesses)Act1965thatthematerialislikelytoberelevantevidence.

202.Documentswhichmayberelevanttosentencee.g.informationwhichmightmitigatetheseriousnessoftheoffenceshouldalsobedisclosed.

p. Prosecution process

203.ItishighlyadvisablethatLAsliaisewithlocalcourtstoensurethatthereisaclearmutualunderstandingofthecourt’spowersandprocedures.

204.ItisadvisedthatforEWSdepartmentswhoregularlyprosecute,courtdatesarebookedinadvancetominimisedelaybetweenissuingwarnings/applyingforsummonsesandthehearingdate.

205.Thediagramonthenextpageprovidesasummaryofthekeystagesintheprosecutionprocess,startingwiththeformalnotificationoftheparent.

206.ItshouldbenotedthatallLAsoperatedifferentlyinbringinginformationtotheattentionofthecourt.InsomeLAsLegalOfficersorsolicitorsareresponsibleforbringingcasestothecourtwhereasinotherstheEWSbearsresponsibility.Theproceduresoutlinedbelowshouldbefollowedregardlessofwhobringsthecasetocourt.

37

Formally notifying a parent

• Formal written notification 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 / first class post / registered post / process server.• Obtain Certificate 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 Certificate of Attendance signed by the head teacher.• Include details of any previous convictions the LA intends to draw to the court’s attention.• Include a notice advising that the parent has 7 days to object to the content of the witness statement

and 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 can be referred to in court.

• Court can sentence based on the basis of what is placed before them.

Not appropriate for section 444(1A)

38

q. Sentencing options available to the court207.InreachingtheirsentencetheMagistrateswillconsideralloftheinformation

presentedtothecourt.BeforedecidinguponasentencetheMagistrateswillneedto considertheaggravatingandmitigatingfactorsoftheoffenceinthecontextof the Magistrates’ CourtSentencingGuidelineswhichcanbefoundathttp://www.sentencing-guidelines.gov.uk/

208.Onconvictionthecourtcanchoosefromthevariousdisposalsavailabletoit,which includethefollowing:

Adjournment

209.Afterconvictionacasemayonlybeadjournedforupto4weeksatatimeforenquiriestobemadeandtodeterminethemostsuitablemethodofdealingwiththecase.In additionpriortoconvictionthecasemaybeadjourned,usuallyforafixedperiod.At theendofthatperiodtheparentwouldhavetore-appearbeforethecourt,unlessthechild’sattendancehadbeenimprovedandtheLAhaddecidedtodiscontinuethecaseagainsttheparent.

Absolute Discharge

210.Whereacaseisprovenbutthecourtbelievetheparentisnotdeservingofapunishmentthisdisposalmaybeused.Thiscanbecitedinfutureprosecutions.

Conditional Discharge

211.Thisdisposalisbywayofasentencethatlastforafixedperiodoftime,upto3years.If thedefendantisconvictedofanotheroffenceduringtheperiodfixedthentheycouldbere-sentencedforthisoffence.

212.Inthecaseofnon-attendanceatschoolthiscouldbeusedifthechild’sattendancehasimproved.Aslongastheparentdoesnotre-offendwithinthedischargeperiodno furtheractionistaken.

Fine

213.Foranoffenceundersection444(1)thiscouldbeuptolevel3onthestandardscale(currently£1,000)Wheretheoffenceisundersection444(1A)thefinecouldbeuptolevel4onthestandardscale(currently£2,500).Inconsideringthefine,themagistratesmusttakeintoaccountthemeansoftheoffendertopay.

Deferred Sentence

214.Thisiswhenthesentencingdecisionisdeferredforafixedperiodoftime,uptoamaximumof6months,dependentoncertainconditionsthatthedefendantmustagreetoabideby.Thisenablesthecourttoconsidertheparent’sconductafterconviction.Thecourtwillexplainwhatitexpectsduringthedefermente.g.thechildtoattendschoolregularly.If theparentmeetsthecourt’sexpectationsareducedsentencecouldbeimposed.

39

Community Orders

215.Beforepassingacommunitysentence,thecourtmustbeoftheopinionthattheoffenceisseriousenoughtowarrantsuchasentence.Ifitisnot,afineoradischargewillbeappropriate.Thecommunityorder,availableforthoseaged18orover,mustnotexceed3years.Itmustalsoincludeatleastoneofthefollowingtwelverequirements.

• Unpaidwork:forbetween40to300hoursusuallywithinatwelvemonthperiod.

• SpecifiedActivity:aspecifiedactivityforaspecifiednumberofdayswhichmaybefor thepurposeofreparation.

• Programme:aspecifiedaccreditedprogrammeaimedatchangingtheoffender’s behaviour.

• ProhibitedActivity:forspecifiedtimesanddurations,theoffendermustrefrainfrom participatinginstatedactivities.

• Curfew:attendanceatacertainplaceforbetween2and12hoursadayforaspecifiedperiodofupto6months.(Thereisastatutorypresumptionthatcompliance willbemonitoredelectronically).

• Exclusion:prohibitedfromenteringaspecifiedplaceforastatedperioduptoa maximumoftwoyears.

• Residence:residentataspecifiedplaceforastatedperiod.

• MentalHealthTreatment:offenderconsentstosubmittotreatmentbyorundersupervisionofaregisteredmedicalpractitionerorcharteredpsychologistfora stipulatedperiodwithaviewtoimprovingtheoffender’smentalcondition.

• DrugRehabilitation:offenderconsentstosubmittotreatmentforaspecifiedperiodwithaviewtoreducingdependencyon,orthepropensitytomisuse,drugs.

• AlcoholTreatment:offenderconsentstosubmittotreatmentforaspecifiedperiod,notlessthan6months,withaviewtoreducingdependencyonalcohol.

• Supervision:offendermustattendappointmentstomonitorrehabilitation.A supervisionrequirementlaststhewholelengthoftheorder.

• AttendanceCentre:offender,whenagedunder25years,attendsforaspecifiednumberofhours(between12and36)fornomorethan3hoursperday.NationalOffenderManagementCymruareresponsiblefor‘attendancecentres’inWales.

216.Thereare6attendancecentresinWales(1foradultsand5foryoungpeople).Themainpurposeofattendancecentresistoputarestrictiononyoungoffenders’leisuretime-theyareopenonSaturdaysfortwoorthreehours.Theirprogrammesconcentrateongroupworktogiveattendeesbasicskills-literacyandnumeracy,lifeskills,cookery,first aidandmoneymanagement,forexample-aswellasencouragingattendeestomakebetteruseofleisuretime.Theprogrammealsoincludesvictimawarenesssessions,whichconsidertheimpactofoffendingonindividualsandthecommunityandhowtheyoungpersonmightmakeamends;andsessionsondrugandalcoholawareness,and sexualhealthmatters.

40

217.ThecourtwilloftenorderareporttobepreparedbytheProbationservicebeforeimposingacommunitysentence.ASpecificSentenceReportmaybepreparedontheday,butapre-sentencereportwillrequirethecasetobeadjourned.

Custodial Sentence (Only available under Section 444(1A)

218.Thiscouldbeaperiodofupto3months.Theoffencemustbeconsideredsoseriousthatonlycustodyisappropriate.Acustodialsentencewillnotbeimposedintheabsenceoftheparent.Thecourtwillnormallyasktheprobationservicetoprepareapre-sentencereportbeforeconsideringacustodialsentence.Inexceptionalcircumstancesthecourtcouldsuspendthesentenceforupto2yearssubjecttothesuccessfulcompletionofrequirementsinthecommunity.

r. Exclusions: The legal aspects

Education and Inspections Act 2006

219 TheEducationandInspectionsAct2006containsseveralclausesrelatingtodiscipline,behaviourandexclusion.ThissectionsetsoutwhichclausesapplytoWales.

Parental responsibilities and excluded pupils

• Section102Reintegrationinterviews-requirementforheadteacherstorequestparentstoattendareintegrationinterview

• Section108Removalofexcludedpupilstodesignatedpremises

• Section109Failuretosecureschoolattendance

41

Part 3: Attendance Data Analysis220.Thispartisintendedto:

• provide an overview of the new school attendance codes

• outline the statistical information available to the EWS

• summarise the types of analysis

• provide examples of types of analysis to improve targeted work; and

• provide a framework for LAs to self evaluate their work on attendance.

a. School attendance codes221.AkeyactionoftheBehavingandAttendingActionPlanwastorevisecurrentschool

attendancecodesandupdatetheguidanceonmonitoringandanalysingabsences.The newcodessupportamoreconsistentapproachtocollectingschoolattendancedata acrossWalesandallowgreaterpotentialforexploringfurtherthereasonswhypupilsareabsent.

222.Themajorityofthechangesrepresentamoredetailedsplitofthecurrentcodesanddonotaffecttheoverallclassificationofattendanceaspresentorauthorised/unauthorisedabsence.However,afewchangesdoaffecttheoverallclassification.Themainchanges are:

• Anew5thstatisticalcategoryof‘notrequiredtoattend’tobeusedforasmallnumberofspecificinfrequentcircumstances.Thiscategorywillcoverabsencedueto thepartialclosureofaschoole.g.duetobadweatherwhenroadconditionsmake someroadsimpassablewiththeresultthattheschoolbusortaxicanonlycollectsomeofthepupils.Theyarenolongerrecordedasanunauthorisedabsence.

• WhereTravellerchildrenareregisteredatmorethanoneschoolandarepresentatoneofthoseschools,theotherschool(s)atwhichtheyareregisteredcanreceivethemasreceivinganapprovededucationalactivity.Theyarenolongerrecordedasan authorisedabsence.

• Ayoungoffendermaynowonlybedeletedfromtheregisterwherehisorherperiodofcustodyisforatleastfourmonthsandwheretheschoolhasreasonablegroundsforbelievingthatthepupilwillnotbereturningtoschoolattheendofthatperiod.Heorshewillberecordedasanauthorisedabsenceuntilhisorhernameisdeletedfromtheregister.Ifanalternativeapprovededucationalactivityisprovidedduringtheperiodofcustody,theschoolmayrecordthepupilasreceivingapprovededucationalactivity.Previouslyapupil’snamecouldbedeletedfromtheregisterifheorshehadbeenabsentforfourweeksandhadbeendetainedbyacourtorder.

223.Thenewcodesaregroupedunderthefollowingstatisticalcategories

• Present

• Approvededucationalactivity(treatedaspresent)

• Authorisedabsence

• Unauthorisedabsence

• Notrequiredtoattend

42

Code Meaning Statistical category

/ \ Present at registration present

L Late but arrived before the register closed present

B Educated off-site (not dual registration) approved educational activity

D Dual registered (present at another school of PRU) approved educational activity

P Approved sporting activity approved educational activity

V Educational visit or trip approved educational activity

J Interview approved educational activity

W Work experience (not work based learning) approved educational activity

C Other authorised circumstances (not covered by another appropriate code/description)

Authorised absence

F Agreed extended family holiday Authorised absence

H Agreed family holiday Authorised absence

I Illness Authorised absence

M Medical or dental appointment Authorised absence

S Study leave Authorised absence

E Excluded but no alternative provision made Authorised absence

R Day set aside exclusively for religious observance Authorised absence

T Traveller absence Authorised absence

N No reason for the absence provided yet Unauthorised absence

O Other unauthorised absence (not covered by other codes or descriptions)

Unauthorised absence

G Family holiday (not agreed or sessions in excess of agreement)

Unauthorised absence

U Late and arrived after the register closed Unauthorised absence

X Un-timetabled sessions for non-compulsory school-age pupils

Not required to attend

Y Partial and forced closure Not required to attend

Z Pupil not on roll yet Not required to attend

# School closed to all pupils Not required to attend

43

224.FullguidanceontheapplicationofthesecodescanbefoundontheInclusionandPupil SupportpagesoftheWelshAssembly’swebsite.

b. Statistical information

225.Dataaloneisunlikelytoprovidesolutionstoidentifiedissuesinsteaditraisesquestions-theanswerstowhichmightprovideasolution.Itisgoodpracticeforlocalauthoritiestocollect,analyseanddisseminatedataonattendance.Thepresentationofdatacanbeextremelypowerfulinencouragingschoolsandstafftotakeaninterestintheeffectanystrategiestheymaybeimplementingarehavingonattendance.

226.Localauthoritiesshouldbecollectingandanalysingattendancedataonatleastahalf-termlybasis.Goodpracticewouldbetocollectitonaweeklyormonthlybasis.

227.Sincetheintroductionoftheannualelectronicattendancedatacollectionin2008,dataisnowavailableatindividualpupillevel.Thisenablesschoolstomonitornotjusttheattendancepatternsofindividualpupils,butalsoacrossyeargroupsandspecificcohorts.Thisallowsfortheearlyidentificationofabsencetrends(i.e.everyMondayorFriday).Someschoolsalsorecordattendanceateverylessonwhichenablesthemtofurtheranalysethedevelopmentofabsencepatternsatindividual,yeargrouporsubjectlevel.

228.Thethoroughanalysisofattendancedatacanhelphighlighttheearlyindicatorsofdisengagementwhichcanultimatelyleadtopersistentabsence.

c. All Wales Core Data Sets 229.ThefirstAllWalesCoreDataSetswereissuedinthe2009/2010academicyear.

The introductionofthesedatasetsreflectsthedecisiontodiscontinuetheNationalPupilDatabasefrom31August2009andrespondstoissuesraisedinEstyn’s2008reportontheuseofperformancedatainlocalauthoritiesandschools.

230.AnAllWalesCoreDataSetisproducedforeveryschooltoimproveconsistencyandensurethatallstaffworkinginschoolimprovementareworkingfromthesamesetofanalyses.ThepacksareakeytoolinsupportingtheSchoolEffectivenessFrameworkand supportandalignwithEstyn’s2010CommonInspectionFramework.Thedataisinfixedformat reportssupportedbyguidancenotesandtrainingmaterials.

231.Akeyelementofthenewapproachistheintroductionof‘statisticalfamilies’.Schoolsaregroupedtogetherintofamiliesofaround10accordingtotheircircumstancesandtheirpupilcharacteristics.Thisenablesschoolstocomparetheirownperformance,strengths, weaknessesandprogresstothatofothersworkinginsimilarcircumstances.Thepacksareintendedtosupportschoolself-evaluationandpromotechallengeandsupportacrossschools.

44

232.Thepacksspecificallyincludethefollowingattendancedata:

• %ofhalf-daysessionsmissedduetounauthorisedabsencebygenderandyearat school,LAandWaleslevel.

• %ofhalf-daysessionmissedduetoallabsencebygender&yearatschool,LAandWaleslevel.

• Nationalbenchmarkingdatabasedonthecorrelationbetweenthe%ofpupilseligibleforFreeSchoolMealsandschoolabsences.

d. Analysis233.LAsneedtogiveschoolsaccesstolocalandnationaldatasotheycanhavethe

opportunitytoactonit.Thefollowingtablesetsoutsomepossibleanalysesandgivesexamplesofpossibleuses.

Type of analysis Some possible uses of analysis for LAs

Some possible uses of analysis for schools

Analysis of overall attendance rates of schools within LA.

Enables LA to determine which schools are in difficulty and which schools are doing well.

Allows schools to get a sense of their relative position locally and how important the issue is for them.

Analysis of unauthorised absence rates in schools within LA.

As above but also when analysed at absence code level provides an insight into specific trends or issues e.g. increase in extended family holiday in excess of agreement.

Allows schools to consider and focus on specific areas of concern e.g. late arrivals after registration closes.

Analysis of persistent absentee rates.

Enables LA to determine school or area which may have a problem with this.

Allows schools to consider and focus on specific individuals and put in place measures to tackle the problem.

Analysis of attendance rates in different year groups.

Provides the LA with an insight into trends or issues between different cohorts.

As with LAs but also provides information on issues like the possible effectiveness of staff or school systems with respect to attendance.

Analysis of improvement in attendance rates in LA.

Provides a measure of how hard a school is working on attendance issues. May also give an insight into where there is effective practice.

Allows schools to see whether or not measures they are taking are having an impact and where other local schools may have good practice.

45

Type of analysis Some possible uses of analysis for LAs

Some possible uses of analysis for schools

Comparison of data with national averages.

Provides an overview of the LA compared to other LAs nationally and puts local achievements in context.

Provides a view on how the school is achieving compared to national standards.

Comparison of data with statistical neighbours

As above but in the context of a variety of socio economic factors.

As above but in the context of a variety of socio economic factors

Comparison of data between local schools with similar characteristics

This provides the LA with an opportunity to make valid comparisons (based on issues such as size and FSM etc.) between local schools.

Allows local schools the opportunity to partner with each other in a meaningful context to spread good practice.

Comparison of pupil cohorts at phases of transition (e.g. key stage 2 to 3).

Allows LAs to assess the impact on attendance of transferring school.

Gives schools a measure on how effective they are at smoothing transition for pupils.

Correlation between SEN and attendance

Could be used to provide an insight into the effectiveness of a social inclusion policy.

Highlights potential access and inclusion issues.

Correlation between ethnicity, gender, looked after status and attendance



Correlation between behaviour and attendance

Highlights potential inclusion issues.

Highlights potential inclusion issues.

Correlation between attendance and achievement

Fundamental to maximising achievement.

Fundamental to maximising achievement.

46

234.Byanalysingattendancedataitmaybeappropriatetoaskthefollowingquestions:

• Whataretheabsencelevels?

• HowdothesecomparetotheLAandnationalfigures?

• Arethereanytrendsforboys,girlsorallpupils?

• Areabsencelevelsattributedtospecificpupilsintheschool?

• Whatstrategieshavebeenemployedtoaddressabsenteeismforspecificpupils?

• Havethesestrategiesimpactedonattendance?

235.Allschoolsholdagreatdealofinformationaboutattendancewhichisnotalwaysfullyutilised.Thisinformationcanbeofgreatuseinschoolsforstrategicplanningandcanenableschoolstomanageattendanceissuesmoreeffectively.Wholeschoolattendancefiguresproducedmonthly,termlyoryearly,basedonyeargroups,canindicatefactorssuchas:

• decliningattendanceinyeargroupings;and

• theeffectofseasonalattendancee.g.attendancemaydeclineduringcoldermonthsandprecedingschoolholidays.

236.Weeklyfiguresmayillustratethe:

• effectofstaffabsenteeism;

• fallinattendanceprecedingteachertrainingdays,halfterms,studyleaveorwork experience;

• effectofendingtermsonaMondayorTuesday;

• effectofactivitydays,daytripsorresidentialtrips;

• effectofthetimingoftheschoolday;and

• effectofpupilholidaysintermtime.

237.Continuousanalysisofindividualpupil’sattendanceandofthewholeschoolcangivescopeforstrategicplanning.Byidentifyingthoselevelswhichtheschoolconsidersareindicatorsofpersistentabsenteeismorirregularattendance,itispossibletoidentifytheextentoftheproblem.TheschoolcanthentargettimeprovidedbytheEWOandpastoralstaffmoreeffectivelybyproducing:

• individualattendancerecordswhichhighlightreasonsforabsenceandthepatternandrateofunauthorisedabsence;and

• obtainlistsofallpupilswithunexplainedabsencewhichcanbefedbacktotheresponsiblememberofstaff.

238.Thepastoralstaffwillthenbeabletoidentifythosepupilswhogivecauseforconcern.Codedabsence,brokendownintoaclassand/orgroupformat,wouldallowidentificationofexcessiveunauthorisedabsences.

47

e. Dissemination of data239.Thedisseminationofdataplacestheissueofattendancewhichisfundamentalto

achievementandsocialinclusionintotheopensothattheycanbeactedupon.Itisimportanttoprovidesomeexplanationofthedatasothatthosereceivingitareable tomakethebestuseofit,formconstructivejudgementsandaskkeyquestionsthat willallowimprovementstobemade.

240.ThoseroutinelyreceivingdatashouldbeChiefEducationOfficersandotherrelevantLAstaffincludingChiefAdvisers,ChairsofGoverningBodies,HeadTeachers,theYOT,the Police,DirectorsofSocialServices,ChiefExecutivesandelectedmembers.Thedataandanalysesshouldbedisseminatedonatermlyandannualbasis(academicyear).Itisgoodpracticetoconsultthoseinreceiptofthedatawhetheranynewanalyses arerequiredandwhethertheinformationcanbeimprovedinanyway.

241.Evaluationofweeklyattendanceatspecificsessionsmayshowupregularpatternsofnon-attendanceandmayreveal,forexample,anassociationwithcertainsubjects,teachersorteachinggroups.Suchanalysiscanalsodrawattentiontotheimprovementordeteriorationintheattendanceofindividualpupils.Theanalysiscanhelptotargetinterventionmoreselectivelyandhelptoestablishthecauseofanabsence.

48

f. S

elf

Eval

uat

ion

To

ol -

Att

end

ance

Go

od

Pra

ctic

e C

hec

klis

t

Self

Eva

luat

ion

Fra

mew

ork

240.

The

sel

fev

alua

tion

fram

ewor

kha

sbe

enp

rodu

ced

tos

uppo

rtL

As

and

help

iden

tify

the

posi

tion

oft

heL

ocal

Aut

horit

y.It

can

be

used

as

ato

olt

oai

dse

lfev

alua

tion

asw

ella

ssu

ppor

tth

eid

entifi

catio

nof

prio

ritie

sfo

rde

velo

pmen

tw

ork.

241.

The

sel

fev

alua

tion

fram

ewor

km

irror

sth

eel

emen

tso

fth

eSc

hool

Eff

ectiv

enes

sPr

ofile

.The

inte

ntio

nis

to

desc

ribe

for

each

asp

ect

‘wha

tit

look

slik

e’in

aL

A.T

hese

sta

tem

ents

hav

ebe

enp

lace

dal

ong

aco

ntin

uum

fro

m‘e

xpec

ted’

thr

ough

to

‘tra

nsfo

rmin

g’.T

he

cont

inuu

md

escr

ibes

ajo

urne

yof

impr

ovem

ent

and

the

stag

esa

LA

mig

htp

oten

tially

go

thro

ugh

asit

see

kst

oac

hiev

eth

ehi

ghes

tou

tcom

esf

ora

llle

arne

rs.

Broa

dly,

the

defi

nitio

nso

fea

chs

tage

are

:

Expe

cted

Dev

elop

ing

Dee

peni

ngTr

ansf

orm

ing

The

elem

ents

and

asp

ects

of t

he

Fram

ewor

k ar

e in

pla

ce to

the

exte

nt w

hich

mig

ht re

ason

ably

be

expe

cted

of a

ll LA

s.

Ther

e is

a c

lear

sen

se o

f str

engt

hs

and

area

s fo

r dev

elop

men

t in

the

elem

ents

of t

he fr

amew

ork.

Stra

tegi

es to

bui

ld o

n st

reng

ths

and

tack

le a

reas

for d

evel

opm

ent a

re

in p

lace

. Im

pact

is e

vide

nt in

som

e ar

eas

of th

e LA

.

Dist

ribut

ed le

ader

ship

com

bine

d w

ith a

str

ong

incl

usiv

e cu

lture

is

impa

ctin

g on

att

enda

nce,

lear

ner

outc

omes

and

wel

lbei

ng a

cros

s th

e LA

.

Effe

ctiv

e pr

actic

es a

re e

mbe

dded

an

d su

stai

ned.

The

y ar

e re

gula

rly

revi

ewed

and

eva

luat

ed fo

r the

ir im

pact

on

outc

omes

for l

earn

ing

and

wel

lbei

ng. T

hese

eva

luat

ions

in

form

futu

re p

lann

ing.

Th

ey e

ngag

e an

d in

volv

e a

wid

e ra

nge

of p

artn

ers,

incl

udin

g ch

ildre

n an

d yo

ung

peop

le th

emse

lves

.

The

LA ro

utin

ely

shar

es p

ract

ice

with

oth

ers.

49

Att

enda

nce

Expe

cted

Dev

elop

ing

Dee

peni

ngTr

ansf

orm

ing

Impr

ovem

ent a

nd

Acco

unta

bilit

y:

• Da

ta

• Ta

rget

s

• Ev

alua

tion

Data

col

lect

ed a

nd re

port

ed

on in

clud

ing:

• O

vera

ll at

tend

ance

• U

naut

horis

ed a

bsen

ce

Eval

uatio

n of

the

serv

ice

need

s to

be

deve

lope

d to

in

form

pol

icy

and

prac

tice.

The

LA u

ses

the

natio

nal

perfo

rman

ce in

dica

tor

(EDU

/016

) and

a b

road

er

rang

e of

nat

iona

l and

loca

l da

ta (e

.g. N

atio

nal C

ore

Data

Set

s) to

impr

ove

atte

ndan

ce ra

tes

at p

rimar

y an

d se

cond

ary

leve

ls.

Som

e da

ta a

naly

sis

is

unde

rtak

en o

n:

• O

vera

ll at

tend

ance

• U

naut

horis

ed a

bsen

ce

• N

umbe

r of s

econ

dary

sc

hool

s w

ith im

prov

ed

leve

ls o

f att

enda

nce

• N

umbe

r of p

rimar

y sc

hool

s w

ith im

prov

ed

leve

ls o

f att

enda

nce

• Ra

te a

t whi

ch c

ases

ar

e cl

osed

due

to

an im

prov

emen

t in

atte

ndan

ce h

avin

g be

en

secu

red

by E

WS

Som

e ev

alua

tion

of th

e se

rvic

e is

und

erta

ken

and

is

bein

g de

velo

ped

to in

form

po

licy

and

prac

tice.

The

LA u

ses

the

natio

nal

perfo

rman

ce in

dica

tor

(EDU

/016

) and

a b

road

er

rang

e of

nat

iona

l and

lo

cal d

ata

(e.g

. Nat

iona

l Co

re D

ata

Sets

) to

trac

k im

prov

emen

t in

atte

ndan

ce

rate

s at

prim

ary

and

seco

ndar

y le

vels.

Data

is a

naly

sed

and

used

to s

trat

egic

ally

pla

n th

e se

rvic

e.

Eval

uatio

n of

the

serv

ice

is

unde

rtak

en a

nd is

sha

red

to

info

rm p

olic

y an

d pr

actic

e.

The

LA c

an d

emon

stra

te

that

att

enda

nce

at P

RUs

and

in s

peci

al s

choo

ls is

im

prov

ing

and

on tr

ack

to m

eet t

arge

ts.

The

LA u

ses

the

natio

nal

perfo

rman

ce in

dica

tor

(EDU

/016

) and

a b

road

er

rang

e of

nat

iona

l and

lo

cal d

ata

(e.g

. Nat

iona

l Co

re D

ata

Sets

) to

trac

k im

prov

emen

t and

info

rm

the

plan

ning

of i

nitia

tives

fo

r att

enda

nce

at p

rimar

y an

d se

cond

ary

leve

ls.

The

LA h

as c

lear

out

com

es

linke

d to

cur

rent

str

ateg

ies

and

initi

ativ

es fo

r im

prov

ing

atte

ndan

ce. A

ll w

ork

is

info

rmed

by

com

preh

ensi

ve

data

ana

lysi

s in

clud

ing

mak

ing

cros

s au

thor

ity

com

paris

ons.

Eval

uatio

n of

the

serv

ice

is m

easu

red

and

used

to

info

rm p

olic

y an

d pr

actic

e.

The

LA u

ses

the

natio

nal

perfo

rman

ce in

dica

tor

(EDU

/016

) and

a b

road

er

rang

e of

nat

iona

l and

loca

l da

ta (e

.g. N

atio

nal C

ore

Data

Set

s) in

thei

r dat

a an

alys

is to

info

rm a

ll w

ork.

50

Att

enda

nce

Expe

cted

Dev

elop

ing

Dee

peni

ngTr

ansf

orm

ing

2. L

eade

rshi

p:

• Po

licie

s an

d pr

oced

ures

Ther

e is

a L

A At

tend

ance

Po

licy

unde

r dev

elop

men

t.

Atte

ndan

ce p

olic

ies

are

focu

ssed

on

atte

ndan

ce

serv

ices

and

are

bei

ng

upda

ted

to in

clud

e al

l st

akeh

olde

rs.

The

LA is

dev

elop

ing

an

Atte

ndan

ce P

olic

y w

ith a

n ex

pect

atio

n of

role

s an

d re

spon

sibi

litie

s of

var

ious

st

akeh

olde

rs w

hich

will

be

focu

sed

on th

e im

pact

of

wor

k un

dert

aken

with

in th

e LA

(inc

ludi

ng s

choo

ls).

Ther

e is

a c

lear

Att

enda

nce

Polic

y. W

ritte

n po

licie

s an

d pr

oced

ures

rela

ting

to

atte

ndan

ce a

nd p

ersi

sten

t ab

senc

e ar

e sh

ared

and

ad

here

d to

at a

var

iety

of

leve

ls b

y al

l offi

cers

, sc

hool

s, pu

pil,

pare

nts

/ca

rers

.

Out

com

es a

re m

easu

red

and

polic

ies

and

proc

edur

es

are

adju

sted

to re

flect

ef

fect

ive

prac

tice.

3.In

terv

entio

n an

d Su

ppor

t:

• Im

prov

ing

outc

omes

fo

r all

• N

arro

win

g th

e ga

ps fo

r di

sadv

anta

ged

child

ren

Plan

ning

and

act

ion

arou

nd a

tten

danc

e is

bei

ng

deve

lope

d to

ens

ure

that

it

is n

ot th

e so

le re

spon

sibi

lity

of th

e at

tend

ance

ser

vice

.

Supp

ort f

or v

ulne

rabl

e pu

pils

with

per

sist

ent

abse

nce

is p

rovi

ded

by

the

atte

ndan

ce s

ervi

ce

and

scho

ols.

Atte

ndan

ce ra

tes

of

vuln

erab

le g

roup

s su

ch

as Tr

avel

lers

, Loo

ked

afte

r Ch

ildre

n an

d th

ose

with

Sp

ecia

l Edu

catio

nal N

eeds

ar

e m

onito

red.

All s

choo

ls a

nd p

arts

of t

he

LA u

nder

stan

d w

hat t

hey

need

to d

o to

con

trib

ute

to

impr

ovin

g at

tend

ance

and

re

duce

per

sist

ent a

bsen

ce.

The

LA h

as a

n in

tegr

ated

ap

proa

ch to

sup

port

ing

iden

tified

pup

ils.

Atte

ndan

ce ra

tes

of

vuln

erab

le g

roup

s su

ch

as Tr

avel

lers

, Loo

ked

afte

r Ch

ildre

n an

d th

ose

with

Sp

ecia

l Edu

catio

nal N

eeds

ar

e an

alys

ed to

info

rm

prac

tice.

Refe

rral

pro

cedu

res

for

scho

ols

to L

As a

re c

lear

, co

nsis

tent

and

adh

ered

to.

Plan

ning

for a

tten

danc

e is

und

erta

ken

stra

tegi

cally

in

line

with

the

atte

ndan

ce s

trat

egy.

It is

evi

dent

that

the

LA u

ses

data

to id

entif

y vu

lner

able

gr

oups

and

pla

n ac

ross

se

rvic

es a

nd s

choo

ls to

en

sure

reso

urce

is m

atch

ed

to n

eed.

Ref

erra

ls fr

om

scho

ols

and

serv

ices

are

co

nsis

tent

and

ens

ure

vuln

erab

le p

upils

get

the

supp

ort t

hey

need

.

Atte

ndan

ce a

t alte

rnat

ive

prov

isio

n is

dea

lt w

ith

rigor

ousl

y w

ith c

lear

lin

es o

f com

mun

icat

ion

and

acco

unta

bilit

y.

The

LA is

ver

y cl

ear a

bout

ho

w e

arly

inte

rven

tion

is p

rovi

ded

and

whi

ch

stra

tegi

es im

prov

e at

tend

ance

.

The

LA k

now

s w

hich

se

rvic

es h

ave

the

grea

test

impa

ct w

ith

pers

iste

nt a

bsen

ce.

Whe

re g

aps

are

iden

tified

th

e LA

agr

ees

how

thes

e ca

n be

st b

e m

et.

51

Att

enda

nce

Expe

cted

Dev

elop

ing

Dee

peni

ngTr

ansf

orm

ing

4. W

orki

ng w

ith O

ther

s /

Net

wor

ks o

f Pro

fess

iona

l Pr

actic

e:

• W

orki

ng in

par

tner

ship

s -

scho

ols

and

serv

ices

• De

velo

ping

sch

ool c

ultu

re

Scho

ols

and

the

LA a

re

deve

lopi

ng a

n ac

tion

plan

to

redu

ce p

ersi

sten

t abs

ence

.

Supp

ort s

ervi

ces

are

deve

lopi

ng th

eir l

imite

d ca

paci

ty fo

r ear

ly

inte

rven

tion.

The

LA is

est

ablis

hing

a

cultu

re o

f who

le

scho

ol re

spon

sibi

lity

for a

tten

danc

e.

Part

ners

hip

wor

k is

de

velo

ping

to m

ake

atte

ndan

ce a

sha

red

resp

onsi

bilit

y ra

ther

than

so

lely

as

the

wor

k of

the

LAs

atte

ndan

ce te

am /

pers

onne

l.

LA h

as s

ome

evid

ence

of

pupi

l and

par

enta

l vie

ws

on a

tten

danc

e.

The

LA k

now

s th

at s

choo

ls

addr

ess

pers

iste

nt a

bsen

ce

in th

eir o

vera

ll pl

anni

ng.

LA a

nd s

choo

l par

tner

ship

s ar

e be

ginn

ing

to c

oord

inat

e an

d pr

iorit

ise

serv

ices

to

redu

ce p

ersi

sten

t abs

ence

.

The

LA is

wor

king

to g

et

scho

ols

to ta

ke o

n w

hole

sc

hool

resp

onsi

bilit

y an

d th

is is

wor

king

in s

ome

scho

ols.

LAs

are

plan

ning

to c

onsu

lt w

ith a

rang

e of

pup

ils a

nd

pare

nts

abou

t the

ir vi

ews

and

expe

rienc

es in

rela

tion

to a

tten

danc

e.

Ther

e is

use

of p

aren

tal

resp

onsi

bilit

y m

easu

res

but t

he s

yste

m to

det

erm

ine

the

impa

ct o

f thi

s is

not

fully

es

tabl

ishe

d.

Lite

ratu

re a

nd in

form

atio

n ab

out a

tten

danc

e is

av

aila

ble.

The

LA h

ave

wor

ked

with

sc

hool

s to

ens

ure

they

hav

e a

cons

iste

nt, c

oord

inat

ed

agre

emen

t with

a ra

nge

of

supp

ort s

ervi

ces.

Early

inte

rven

tion

ensu

res

that

ther

e is

a re

duct

ion

in

the

num

ber o

f pup

ils w

ith

pers

iste

nt a

bsen

ce.

The

LA c

an d

emon

stra

te

that

all

scho

ols

have

ta

ken

on w

hole

sch

ool

resp

onsi

bilit

y w

hich

co

nsis

ts o

f:

• A

seni

or le

ader

for

atte

ndan

ce a

nd c

lear

an

d co

nsis

tent

role

s an

d re

spon

sibi

litie

s fo

r all

staf

f

• U

se o

f dat

a to

info

rm

prac

tice

• W

ork

to re

duce

the

num

ber o

f pup

ils w

ith

pers

iste

nt a

bsen

ce

A ra

nge

of p

aren

tal

resp

onsi

bilit

y m

easu

res

are

use

d an

d th

e im

pact

of

thes

e is

mea

sure

d an

d ac

ted

upon

.

Impa

ct o

f the

sup

port

of

fere

d by

ser

vice

s to

the

part

ners

hip

to re

duce

pe

rsis

tent

abs

ence

is

mea

sure

d te

rmly

and

ac

tions

am

ende

d w

here

im

pact

leve

ls a

re lo

w.

Feed

back

from

ser

vice

use

rs

reco

gnis

es th

e po

sitiv

e an

d tim

ely

supp

ort a

vaila

ble.

Wel

l dev

elop

ed li

nks

with

lo

cal m

agis

trat

es a

re

in p

lace

.

The

LA s

uppo

rt s

harin

g of

effe

ctiv

e pr

actic

e an

d m

easu

re o

utco

mes

to h

elp

scho

ols

info

rm fu

ture

are

as

for d

evel

opm

ent.

Ther

e is

wel

l-dev

elop

ed a

nd

regu

lar p

upil

cons

ulta

tion

on a

wid

e ra

nge

of is

sues

in

clud

ing

atte

ndan

ce a

nd

wel

l-bei

ng.

52

Att

enda

nce

Expe

cted

Dev

elop

ing

Dee

peni

ngTr

ansf

orm

ing

5. C

urric

ulum

and

Teac

hing

• Pe

rson

alis

ed a

ppro

ache

s to

teac

hing

and

lear

ning

• De

velo

ping

the

wor

kfor

ce

Plan

s an

d ex

pect

atio

ns a

re

esta

blis

hed

in a

ll pr

ovis

ion

to e

nsur

e th

ere

is a

who

le

scho

ol /

unit

appr

oach

to

atte

ndan

ce w

ith p

ract

ice

and

proc

edur

es th

at

safe

guar

d al

l pup

ils a

nd

staf

f. Th

e LA

is d

evel

opin

g th

e sy

stem

to e

nsur

e co

nsis

tenc

y.

Atte

ndan

ce s

ervi

ce s

taff

have

a c

lear

und

erst

andi

ng

of h

ow th

eir r

ole

cont

ribut

es

to th

e ai

ms

and

prio

ritie

s of

the

Child

ren

and

Youn

g Pe

ople

’s Pl

ans.

Som

e at

tend

ance

trai

ning

is

pro

vide

d.

Supe

rvis

ion

is re

gula

rly

prov

ided

by

atte

ndan

ce

prof

essi

onal

s.

Link

s ar

e m

ade

betw

een

atte

ndan

ce a

nd a

ttai

nmen

t to

sup

port

sch

ools.

Thi

s st

ill

need

s to

be

deve

lope

d so

it

is c

onsi

sten

tly a

pplie

d.

The

LA p

rovi

des

supp

ort

that

ena

bles

all

PRU

s, sp

ecia

l sch

ools

and

al

tern

ativ

e pr

ovis

ion

to

have

est

ablis

hed

prac

tice

to p

rom

ote

atte

ndan

ce a

nd

redu

ce p

ersi

sten

t abs

ence

.

Vuln

erab

le p

upils

are

qui

ckly

id

entifi

ed a

nd re

leva

nt

supp

ort i

s of

fere

d.

The

LA w

orkf

orce

has

su

ffici

ent k

now

ledg

e ab

out

atte

ndan

ce to

offe

r adv

ice

whe

n ap

prop

riate

.

Ther

e ar

e op

port

uniti

es

for j

oint

trai

ning

.

The

qual

ity o

f tea

chin

g an

d le

arni

ng is

see

n as

a re

ason

fo

r att

enda

nce.

App

ropr

iate

ac

tion

is ta

ken

to a

ddre

ss

abse

nce

thro

ugh

effe

ctiv

e sc

hool

impr

ovem

ent

stra

tegi

es.

The

LA p

rovi

des

data

to

ena

ble

scho

ols

to b

ench

mar

k fo

r im

prov

emen

t.

Leve

ls o

f sup

port

and

ch

alle

nge

are

evid

ent

with

cle

ar e

xpec

tatio

ns o

f st

anda

rds.

The

LA p

rovi

des

form

al a

udits

as

part

of

rout

ine

scho

ol im

prov

emen

t re

view

s w

ith c

lear

feed

back

to

sup

port

act

ion

plan

ning

.

Ther

e is

an

agre

ed

prog

ram

me

of s

taff

deve

lopm

ent t

o en

sure

co

ntin

uity

and

dev

elop

men

t of

exp

ertis

e in

sch

ool

atte

ndan

ce.

Ther

e is

a c

lear

un

ders

tand

ing

abou

t the

im

pact

of a

tten

danc

e on

at

tain

men

t at p

rimar

y, se

cond

ary

and

spec

ial

scho

ols

of p

upils

.

Appr

opria

te a

ctio

ns n

eede

d ar

e ta

ken

by a

ll re

leva

nt

serv

ices

and

the

impa

ct

is m

easu

red

and

shar

ed

with

sch

ools.

The

LA h

as a

cle

ar

unde

rsta

ndin

g of

the

impa

ct

of th

e ty

pe o

f pro

visi

on

bein

g m

ade

for p

upils

with

pe

rsis

tent

abs

ence

and

can

de

mon

stra

te im

prov

emen

ts.

Ther

e is

an

on-g

oing

revi

ew

of p

rofe

ssio

nal d

evel

opm

ent

need

s of

sta

ff w

ithin

LA

to e

nsur

e th

at th

ey h

ave

the

skill

s to

sup

port

and

ch

alle

nge

scho

ols.

Staf

f are

mul

ti-sk

illed

and

th

ere

are

prof

essi

onal

pr

ogre

ssio

n ro

utes

that

cr

oss

disc

iplin

es.

53

Part 4: Procedures And Practical Application242.Thissectionisintendedto:

• Set out procedures for the EWS.

• Provide signposts to other relevant documents; and

• Highlight areas / issues facing the EWS.

a. Safeguarding and Child Protection243.ItistheroleofallEWSteammembersto:-

• Helpidentifywelfareconcernsandindicatorsofpossibleabuseorneglectofallpupilsatanearlystage,referringthoseconcernstotheappropriateagency;(categoriesofabusearephysical,emotional,sexualandneglect).

• InconjunctionwiththeLAensurethatallschoolstaffarefamiliarwithsafeguardingproceduresandunderstandtheirresponsibilities.

• InconjunctionwiththeLAprovideadviceandtrainingwhenrequired.

• Whenrequested,assistchildprotectionagenciesintheinvestigationofabuseandin theprotectionofpupils“atrisk”.

• RepresentEducationatChildProtectioncaseconferences,coregroupsandreviews.

• Whenappropriate,actasanadvocateforthechild.

• Beawareoftheissueofforcedmarriage,childtrafficking,safeguardingchildreninwhomillnessisfabricatedandsafeguardingchildrenfromabuse.

All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008

244.AllEWSstaffshouldbefullycompliantwiththeupdatedversionoftheproceduresastheyareanessentialpartofthewideragendaofsafeguardingchildrenandyoungpeopleandpromotingtheirwelfare.Theprocedureshavebeenrewrittenandsubstantiallyrevisedtotakeintoaccountmorerecentchangesinpolicyandlegislation.

245.TheguidanceforEWOsstates:

• Ifthereisaconcernoranallegationofabuseismadewhilstinaschoolsituation,theheadteacherorseniormemberofstaffdesignatedtotakeleadresponsibilityfor dealingwithchildprotectionissuesshouldbeimmediatelyinformedandtheschool-basedproceduresshouldbefollowed.

• Ifthereisaconcernorallegationofabusemade“outoftheschoolsituation”the sameproceduresshouldbefollowedwithoutdelay.

246.AnexampleofaModelChildProtectionPolicyisinSection2.

247.FurtherguidanceisavailableinSafeguardingChildreninEducation(CircularNo:005/2008).Thisguidancealsocontainsanappendixonthebroadareas of responsibilityfortheDesignatedSeniorPersonforChildProtection.

54

b. Employment / Performances248.Themainprovisionsgoverningchildren’semploymentarecontainedinsection18of

the ChildrenandYoungPersonsAct1933.LocalAuthoritybylawsmadeunderthe1933 Actmayplacefurtherrestrictiononthehoursandconditionsofworkandthenatureofemploymentpermitted.Althoughthesebylawsdifferfromauthoritytoauthorityallmustconformtotheprimarylegislationandtothegeneralprinciplethatthe welfareofthechildisofparamountimportance.TheNationalNetworkforChildreninEmployment&Entertainment(NNCEE)providesfurtherinformationandcanbefoundathttp://www.bucksinfo.net/nncee/

Child Employment: Key Facts

• 13yearsoldistheminimumagetoworkparttime.

• Fulltimeworkcanonlystartafterofficialschoolleaving.

• Workcanonlytakeplacebetweenthehoursof7amand7pmandoutsideofschool hours.

• 13and14yearoldscanworkupto2hoursonschooldaysand5hoursonSaturday andholidays,uptoamaximumof12hoursperweektermtimeand35 hoursperweekduringholidays.

• Allagescanworknomorethan2hoursonaSunday.

• Toensureprotectionandinsurance,employersmustregisterallchildrenwhoworkfor themwiththelocalauthority.

• Theminimumwagedoesnotapplytochildrenunder16.

• Childrencanbestoppedfromworkingiftheirattendanceand/orpunctualityat schoolortheirhealthsuffers.

• Childrencannotworkinapuborclub;amusementarcadeorfairground;warehouse orfactory;slaughterhouseorbutchery;kitchenorcookshop;onastreet;inatheatreorcinemaunlesslicensedtoperformthere.

• Childrencannotsellalcohol,cigarettesormedicine;beinvolvedingambling;deliver milk;selldoortodoor;collectmoney;workusingdangerousmachineryor chemicals;sortragsorrefuse;doworkwhichmaycauseinjuryorharm.

• 14,15and16yearoldscanonlybeemployedtodolightwork(exceptionsabove).

• 13yearoldsareallowedtodolightworkonlyinthefollowingsettings:agriculturalorhorticulturalwork;deliveryofnewspapers,journals,leaflets;shopwork;hairdressing salons;officework,inacaféorrestaurant(butnotthekitchen);inridingstables,catteriesandkennels.

Part Time Work - Hours of work that are allowed:

249.Ifachildoryoungpersonworks,thefollowingrulesapplyuntiltheyreachschoolleavingage.AnapplicationformsignedbytheirparentsandemployershouldbecompletedandsenttotheLAbelowbeforetheystartworking.

55

Age Hours that can be worked During The Following Hours -

13 & 14

School Days Not more than a total of 2 hours in one day during the following periods:

a) In the morning between 7am and the start of the school (1hour max)

b) In the evening between close of school and 7pm

Saturdays* 5 hours a day between 7am and 7pm

Sundays 2 hours a day between 7am and 11am

To a maximum of 12 hours in any week in which students are required to attend school

School Holidays * 5 hours a day on any weekday (except Sundays) between 7am and 7pm, but total hours worked each week must not exceed 25 hours.

A child/young person must have 2 consecutive weeks break in a year and they must be taken during the school holidays

Age 15

School Days Not more than a total of 2 hours in one day during the following periods:

a) In the morning between 7am and the start of school (1 hour max)

b) In the evening between close of school and 7pm

Saturdays* 8 hours a day between 7am and 7pm

Sundays 2 hours a day between 7am and 11am

To a maximum of 12 hours in any week in which students are required to attend school

School Holidays * 8 hours a day on any weekday (except Sundays) between 7am and 7pm, but total hours worked each week must not exceed 35 hours.

A child/young person must have 2 consecutive weeks break in a year and they must be taken during the school holidays

Age 16

The hours of employment specified for 15 year olds will apply whilst they are of compulsory school age. If the child/young person wishes, they are legally able to leave school on the last Friday in June in the school year in which they reach the age of 16. They are not able to take full-time employment until after that date.

*Nochildofanyagemayworkmorethan4hoursinanydaywithoutarestbreakof1hour

56

Work That Is Allowed

Prohibited employments for all children of compulsory school age

250.Nochildofanyagemaybeemployed:

• Onanydaythatheorsheisabsentfromschoolbyreasonofill-health.

• Incinema,theatre,discotheque,dancehallornightclub,exceptinconnectionwitha performancegivenentirelybychildren.

• Tosellorservecustomerswithordeliveralcohol.

• Todelivermilk.

• Todeliverfueloils.

• Inacommercialkitchen.

• Tocollectorsortrefuse.

• Inanyworkwhichismorethanthreemetresabovegroundlevelor,inthecaseofinternalwork,morethanthreemetresabovefloorlevel.

• Inemploymentinvolvingharmfulexposuretophysical,biologicalorchemicalagents.

• Tocollectpaymentortosellorcanvasdoortodoor.

• Inworkinvolvingexposuretoadultmaterialorinsituationswhichareforthisreasonotherwiseunsuitableforchildren.

• Intelephonesales.

• Inanyslaughterhouseorinthatpartofanybutcher’sshoporotherpremisesconnectedwiththekillingoflivestock,butchery,orinthepreparationofcarcassesor meatforsale.

Age 13

You may only be employed in ‘light work’ on one or more of the following:

- Agricultural or horticultural work

- delivery of newspapers, journals and other printed material

- Shop work, including shelf stacking

- Hairdressing salons

- Office work

- In a cafe or restaurant (but not in a kitchen)

- In riding stables

- Domestic work in hotels and other establishments offering accommodation

Age 14 & 15

• A child/young person may be employed only in light work.

• A child/young person may engage in street trading if they are employed by their parents in connection with their business and if they are supervised by them, or if they have been granted a street traders licence by the local authority.

When You Are 16The above restrictions will still apply whilst they are of compulsory school age.

57

• Asanattendantorassistantinafairgroundoramusementarcadeorinanyotherpremisesusedforthepurposeofpublicamusementbymeansofautomaticmachines,gamesofchanceorskillorsimilardevices.

• Inthepersonalcareofresidentsofanyresidentialcarehomeornursinghomeunless undertheclosesupervisionofaresponsibleadult.

Children’s Performances Licences: Key Facts

251.TheChildrenandYoungPersonsAct1933andtheChildren(Performances)Regulations 1968asamendedsetouttherulesgoverningchildrenwhotakepartinperformances,includingboardcastperformances,childphotographyandmodelling.The RegulationsrequirechildrenbelowMinimumSchoolLeavingAgetobelicensedbeforetakingpartinaperformance.Thepurposeoftheseprovisionsistosafeguardthe health,welfareandeducationofchildrentakingpartinperformances.The legislation requiresthatallchildren,fromnewbornbabiesuntiltheyceasetobeofcompulsoryschoolage,needtobelicensedtoperformbytheLAinwhichtheylive.Each LAhasastatutoryresponsibilitytoissueaChildPerformanceLicenceforchildrenwholiveintheirarea.EachLAhastheresponsibilitytoinspectanypremisesintheirLAareawherechildrenare/maybeperforming.

252.TheLAwhenconsideringalicenceapplicationmustbesatisfiedthat:

• Thechild’sformaleducationwillnotbeaffected.

• Thechild’shealthwillnotsuffer.

• Thevenuewheretheperformanceorrehearsaltakesplaceissuitable.

• Alloftheconditionsofthelicencewillbemaintained.

253.Thechildwillbeunderthesupervisionofachaperone.Thelawstatesthat‘the Chaperoneisactingin loco parentisandshouldexercisethecare“whichagoodparentmightbereasonablyexpectedtogivethatchild’.FurtherinformationonChaperonescanbefoundinSection2.

58

Broadcast Performance Table

Topic Age 0 to 4 Age 5 to 8 Age 9 & Over

Maximum Time at Place of Performance

5 Hours 7 ½ Hours 9 ½ Hours

Maximum Times Present

Between

9.30 am & 4.30 pm

Between

9 am & 4.30 pm

Between

7 am & 7 pm

Maximum Performing Time

2 Hours 3 Hours 4 Hours

Maximum continuous time to take part without a rest

30 Minutes 45 Minutes 1 Hour

Minimum rest/meal Times

All times when not taking part

Present 3 ½ hours = 2 breaks, 1 hr meal & 15 mins rest.

Present 8 hours = 3 breaks

1 x 1 hr meal & 15 mins rest.

Present 4 hours = 2 breaks, 1 hr meal & 15 mins rest.

Present 8 hours = 3 breaks

2 x 1 hr meal & 15 mins rest.

Education NIL 3 hours per school day 3 hours per school day

EXCEPTIONS to the above for BBC, ITV, a programme contractor (TV Act 1964 S.1(5) or body supplying programmes to such a contractor for CHILDREN AGED 13 AND OVER ONLY

Maximum time PRESENT per 7 day week

12 hrs any 1 day OR 10 hrs per day any 2 days OR 9 ½ hrs per day any 3 days provided not present on any other day that week & not present after 7 pm on more than 20 days in previous 12 months

Times between 7 am & 7 pm OR between 10 am & 10 pm

Alternative To Above Exceptions

Maximum time PRESENT per 7 day week

12 hrs 1 day provided not present more than 4 hrs on any other day that week and:

does not take part for more than 2 hrs any other day that week and:

does not take part on day following a day on which he was present after 7 pm and:

has not been present after 7 pm on any of the 6 previous days.

Times between 7 am & 7 pm OR between 10 am & 10 pm

59

Non-Broadcast Performance Table

FurtherInformationonchildemploymentandperformancelicencesforschoolagechildrencanbefoundinSection2.

Performances (same nature) 2 per day 1 Performance & 1 rehearsalOR 2 Performances

Performances per Week Max. 6 days per 7 day week Max. 8 consecutive weeks requires 2 week interval before performing again in same production

Time Gap between performance days

14 hours must elapse between the end of the previous days performance and the beginning of the following days performance

Performance Time Max. 3 hrs 30 mins Including breaks

Appearance in Performance Max. 2 hrs 30 mins aggregated

Intervals 1 1/2 hours minimum Between 2 performancesOR 1 performance & 1 rehearsal

Exception to Intervals (in any week)

On not more than 2 days minimum of 45 minutes interval between performances and/or rehearsals. Maximum 6 hours at place of performance

School Day Attending school in the morning 1 performanceOR 1 rehearsal ONLY

Performance Hours Age 12 & Under Age 13 and over

Earliest Arrival 10.00 a.m. 10.00 a.m.

Latest Departure 10.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

Exception (1) 10.30 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

Exception (2) Not later than 11 p.m. on not more than 3 evenings per week, provided that he is not so present on more than 8 evenings in a period of 4 consecutive weeks.

Medical (1) YES (period longer than 1 week) Performing over 6 consecutive days

Medical (2) NO (period less than 1 week) Performing under 6 consecutive days

Arrangements for getting Home

Applicant shall ensure that suitable arrangements (having regard to the child’s age) are made for the child to get to his home or other destination after the last performance or rehearsal or the conclusion of any activity on any day.

60

c. Children missing education254.InSeptember2009theWelshAssemblyGovernmentcommencedSection436Aof

theEducation&InspectionsAct2006whichrequiresthatlocalauthoritiesmustmakearrangementstoenablethemtoestablish(sofarasitispossibletodoso)theidentitiesofchildrenresidingintheirareawhoarenotreceivinga‘suitableeducation’.

255.Thepurposeofthedutyistomakesurethatchildrenandyoungpeoplemissingfromeducationareidentifiedquicklyandthateffectivemonitoringsystemsareputinplacetoensurethatactionistakentoprovidethemwith‘suitableeducation’oncefound.’Suitableeducation’,inrelationtoachild,isdefinedasefficientfull-timeeducationsuitabletotheirage,abilityandaptitudeandtoanyspecialeducationalneedstheymay have.

256.Thedutyappliesinrelationtochildrenandyoungpeopleofcompulsoryschoolagewho arenotonaschoolroll,andwhoarenotreceivingasuitableeducationotherwisethanbeingatschool(forexample,athome,privately,orinalternativeprovision)and whohavebeenoutofanyeducationalprovisionforasubstantialperiodoftime (usuallyagreedasfourweeksormore).

257.Thedutydoesnotapplyinrelationtochildrenwhoareregisteredataschoolwhoarenotattendingregularly.Thenewdutycomplementsandreinforcesdutiesthatalreadyexistforschoolstomonitorattendanceanditisimportantthatlocalauthoritiesworkwithschoolstomakesuretheydoiteffectively.

258.Thedutydoesnotapplytochildrenwhoarebeingeducatedathome.Parentshaveadutytoensurethattheirchildrenreceiveasuitablefull-timeeducationeitherbyregularschoolattendanceatschoolorotherwise(undersection7oftheEducationAct1996)or theymaychoose,asistheirright,toprovidethisbyeducatingtheirchildathome.

259.Statutoryguidancetohelppreventchildrenandyoungpeoplefrommissingeducation includingapracticaltoolkitcanbefoundathttp://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/?lang=en.

d. Gypsy and Traveller children260.ThespecialpositionofTravellerfamiliesisrecognisedbySection444(b)oftheEducation

Act1996.ItprotectsTravellerparentsfromconvictioniftheparentcandemonstratethat:

• heisengagedinatradeorbusinessofsuchanatureasrequireshimtotravelfromplacetoplace

• thechildhasattendedataschoolasaregisteredpupilasregularlyasthenatureof thetradeorbusinesspermits;and/or

• wherethechildhasattainedtheageofsixyears,hehasmadeatleast200attendances(i.e.sessionsorhalfdays)duringtheprecedingtwelvemonths.

61

261.ThepurposeofthissectionisnottoprotectTravellerparentsfromlegalaction,nordoesitrelieveparentsoftheirdutiesundersection7oftheEducationAct1996.Itistoensurethatchildrenarereceivingsuitableeducationthroughregularattendanceatschoolorotherwise.

262.Ingeneral,theaimshouldalwaysbetoensurethatTravellerchildren,incommonwithallotherchildren,attendschoolasregularlyandasfrequentlyaspossible-200attendancesshouldnotberegardedasthenorm.Abalancehastobefoundbetweentheneedforlegalactiontakenagainstindividualcases,theinterestsofthechildandadoptingasensitiveandsympatheticapproachthatrecognisesthelifestyleandculturaltraditionsof thefamily.

263.SchoolsmayauthoriseabsenceofTravellerchildrenwheretheyaresatisfiedthatafamilymigratesbutgivesreasonableindicationsthatithaseveryintentionofreturning(althoughconsultationwiththeTravellerEducationServicemaybehelpfulatthispoint).ThisincludesGypsyandotherTravellers,circusandfairgroundfamiliesleavingsitesandwinterquarters,witheveryexpectationthattheywillreturn.Someschoolsinthesecircumstancesareabletomaintaincontactwiththechildrenbyoutreachworkortheprovisionofdistancelearningpacks,althoughsuchactivitiesshouldnotbeviewedasapreferablealternativetoattendanceatschool.Somereasonablelatitudeonabsencemightalsobeofferedinrespectoffamilieswhohavemovedfrom,orhavebeenevictedfrom,unauthorisedsiteswhilethefamilyfindsanothersite.However,inthelattercircumstances,alleffortsshouldbemadetoencouragethemaintenanceofattendanceatschool.

264.TheEducation(PupilRegistration)(Wales)Regulations2010introducedthepowerforschoolstoduallyregisteraTravellerchildwhentheyareknowntobeattendinganotherschool.Insuchsituationstheirattendancecannowberecordedasattendingan‘approvededucational activity’.

265.Theschoolofmainattendanceshouldtakeresponsibilityforsettinguptheappropriatecommunicationsystemswiththeothereducationalprovidertoensurethepupilisinattendancewhentheyaresupposedtobe.Forsafeguardingandeducationalreasonstheresponsibilityforfollowinguponunexplainedandunexpectedabsencesinatimelymannerfallstoeachschoolduringthetimeinwhichthepupilisinsitu.WhereTravellerchildrenareregisteredpupilsataschoolandareknowntobepresenteitheratasite(officialorotherwise)orinahouseandarenotattendingschool,theabsenceshouldbe investigatedinthesamewayasthatforanypupil.

266.Furtherguidancecanbefoundin‘MovingForwardTogether’WAGGuidanceCircular003/2008-whichhasasectiononAccessandAttendance.

e. Good practice guidelines for Truancy Sweeps267.Thissectionprovidesasummaryoftherolesandresponsibilitiesofthosetakingpart

in truancysweeps,basedonUKGovernmentadvicetothePoliceandlocalauthorities(LAs)ontheprovisionsundersection16oftheCrimeandDisorderAct1998.(www.statutelaw.gov.uk)

62

Main elements of the Power

268.Themainelementsofthepowersetoutinsection16ofthe1998Actareasfollows:

• thesectionempowersapoliceofficertotakeachildoryoungperson,whoheorshehasreasonablecausetobelieveisofcompulsoryschoolageandisabsentfromschool(includingapupilreferralunitandanindependentschool)withoutlawfulauthority,backtoschoolortoanotherplacedesignatedbytheLA.Thisalsoapplieswherethepupilhasbeenexcludedondisciplinarygrounds,eitherforafixedtermorpermanently,has notbeenadmittedtoanotherschoolandhasnoreasonablejustificationforbeinginapublicplace;

• thechildoryoungpersonmustbeinapublicplacewhenthepowerisexercised.Thisincludesprivatepremisestowhichthepublichaveaccesse.g.shops,shoppingcentresandarcades.Publicplaceisdefinedas“anyhighwayoranyplacetowhichat thematerialtimethepublicoranysectionofthepublichasaccess,onpaymentor otherwise,asofrightorbyvirtueofexpressorimpliedpermission”.

269.Section108oftheEducationandInspectionsAct2006amendssection16toincludepupilswhohavebeenexcludedforafixedperiodorpermanently.

270.Note:PoliceandPoliceCommunitySupportOfficersarenotempoweredtoremovepupilswhoseabsenceisunauthorisedorexcludedpupilsfromtheirhomeoranyotherprivateplaceanddonothavethepowertoremovechildrenwhoareeducatedoutsidetheschoolsystem.

• Thepowermaybeusedwherealocalauthorityhasdesignatedpremisesinapoliceareaforthepurposeoftheprovisionandhasnotifiedthechiefofficerofpoliceforthearea.

• Itwillbeforapoliceofficerofatleastsuperintendentranktospecifyareasandtimeperiodsinwhichthepowermaybeused.

• Thepowerisnotapowerofarrestordetentionnordoesitmaketruancyacriminaloffenceforthechild(however,itremainsanoffenceforparentstoallowtheirchildto beabsentfromschoolwithoutauthority.Ifconvicted,undersection443or444oftheEducationAct1996parentscanfaceasubstantialfineorimprisonment).

Planning For Truancy Sweeps

271.Inplanningfortruancysweeps,theLAshouldholdpreliminarydiscussionswithschoolsintheareaconcerned(includingindependentschools)todevelopaplanofaction.LA representativesshouldthendiscusswiththepolicetheobjectivesandparametersof thetruancyinitiativeandtoagreeoperationalguidelinesforallconcerned.Schools,thelocalyouthoffendingteam(s),theyouthservice,youngpeople’spartnershipsandotherrelevantlocalagenciessuchascommunitysafetypartnershipsandsubstancemisuseadvisoryregionalteamsshouldalsobeinvolvedinthesediscussions.

63

272.Duringthisprocessparticularattentionshouldbepaidtoensuringthat:

• Thereisapersonnelbriefingbeforethesweepbegins.Thisshouldincludeariskassessment-tofocusontheriskstostaffthatmayoccuronasweep.

• Protocolsareagreed:

a. betweenneighbouringauthorities;

b. fordealingwithchildren“offtheschoolroll”,includingclearlydefinedfollowup responsibilities;

c. forreturningpupilstotheirschoolordesignatedplace;

d. forchildrenwhomaybesubjecttoanABCorASBOwhomaybeoutofschoolwithoutappropriateauthority;

e. forchildrenregisteredatschoolinanotherarea;

f. forchildrenfromotherjurisdictionswhohavedifferentlawsandregulations;and

g. onhowchildrenidentifiedlateintheschooldaywillgethome.

• Policeofficersareawareofcategoriesofchildrenwhomayhaveajustifiablecausetobeoutandaboutduringschoolhours,especiallyhome-educatedchildrenandexcludedpupils.

• Cleargeographicalboundariesaresetfortheexercise;thepartnersinvolvedshouldkeeptheseinconfidence.

• Informationissharedaboutplaceswherepupilsareknowntogather(e.g.shoppingcentres).

• Thepoliceareawareofotherrelevantinformationsuchaslocalschoolhours,school holidays,trainingdays,andwhethertheareaisfrequentedbychildrenfromotherareaswithdifferentschoolholidays(e.g.isitapopularholidaydestination).

• Thepolicearegiventhenamesandknownmovementpatternsofchildrenknownto bepersistentnon-attendeesand,whereappropriate,theirnames.

• Thoughtisgivenregardinghowtodealwithchildreninthecompanyofadults,andwhatfollow-upisputinplace.Parentallycondoned,unjustifiedabsenceisasignificantproblemforsomeschoolsandmanyofthesechildrenwillhavenogoodreasontobeoutofschool:thereisalsoapotentialchildprotectionissue.Thepoliceofficerandaccompanyingeducationrepresentativeshouldaim,therefore,toestablishwhetherthechildisaregisteredpupilandthereasonforabsence.Parentsshouldberemindedthattheyarelegallyresponsiblefortheirchild’sregularschoolattendance.

• Localschools,includingindependentschools,areawarethatatruancysweepistakingplace.Schoolscanprovidevaluableinformationonabsenteesthatday,pupils whoarelegitimatelyoutofschoolanddaysofschoolclosure.

• Guidelinesareestablishedforapproachingyoungpeople.Werecommendthatpoliceofficersoperatingthepowerdosoinuniform(becauseofchildprotectionconcerns)andwherepracticableareaccompaniedbyaneducationrepresentativesuchasanEWO,whowillbeabletochecktheschoolstatusoftheyoungpersonconcerned.(SomeLAsusefluorescentjacketswhichclearlyidentifythemandaddresschildprotectionconcerns).

64

• Whereappropriate,theBritishTransportPolicearebroughtintothediscussions,in respectofproblemsinvolvingpupilscongregatingontherailnetwork.

• Whereappropriate,otherbodies,suchasrepresentativesoftheretailtradeandthelocalcommunity,areencouragedtobepartnersintheapproach.Thesepartnerscanprovidevaluableinformationondays,timesandareasinwhichabsenteescongregateorcausenuisance.

273.TheEWSshouldcontinuetomonitorattendancerecordsofallpupilspickedupbothpriortoandfollowingonfromtruancysweepstoensurecasesofpersistenttruancyareaddressed.AswellascollectingthisdatatoreturntotheWelshAssemblyGovernmentfornationallyco-ordinatedexercises,theEWSshouldmakeuseofthisinformationforplanningpurposes.Itwillbeparticularlyusefulforgivingdetailsoftherangeofpupilsinvolvedaswellasthebenefitsandimpactofsuchaninitiative.

274.Formonitoringpurposes,soastoprovidefeedbackfortheoveralltruancyreductionstrategy,staffinvolvedinthesweepshouldestablishfromthechildthereasonfortruanting.Itisgoodpracticetokeepdocumentationoftheencounteralthoughthis is notarequirement.ExemplardocumentationcanbefoundinSection2.

275.Priortothesweep,planningonhowtheinitiativecanbemonitoredandevaluatedshouldbecarriedouttoensuretheeffectivenessoftheinitiativecanbemeasured.This willhelpinformfuturestrategyandoperationalarrangements.Basicdatatoassist theevaluationprocessmayinclude:

• numberofchildrenstopped;

• numberwithnovalidreasontobeoutofschool;

• numberwithacceptable/legitimatereasonandwhatthatreasonwas;

• numberofexcludedpupils;

• genderandageofthosestopped;

• numberstoppedaccompaniedbyanadult;and

• followupactionandoutcome.

276.ItisgoodpracticetodiscusswithschoolsthepossibilityoffollowinguptruancysweepswithdiscussionduringPersonalandSocialEducationlessons,otherpartsofthe curriculumorschoolassembliestoendorsethemessageoftheimportanceofattendingschool.

Exchange of Personal Information

277.Section115oftheCrimeandDisorderAct1998ensuresthateducationauthoritieshavea legalpowertodiscloseinformationtothePoliceforthepurposeofthetruancyprovision.Thiswouldinclude,forexample,thenamesofpersistenttruants.TherequirementsoftheDataProtectionlegislationneedtobetakenintoaccountinexercisingthispower,as willcertainotherrequirements.ThebestwaytoensuretheserequirementsaresatisfiedisbyusingcarefullydrawnupprotocolsbetweentheauthorityandthePolice.Further advice

65

onthedrawingupofinformationsharingprotocolsalongwithamodelprotocolhasbeenpreparedbytheHomeOfficeinco-operationwiththeDataProtectionRegisterandisavailableontheCrimeReductionwebsite:

www.crimereduction.gov.uk/infosharing13.htm www.crimereduction.gov.uk/infosharing_guide.htm

Designated Premises

278.Beforethepowerisinvoked,theLAwillhavetodesignatepremisestowhichyoungpeopleofcompulsoryschoolagemayberemovedtoandformallynotifytheChiefConstablein writing.Thepowertoremoveabsenteeandexcludedpupilsfromapublicplacecannotbeusedunlesstheauthorityhasestablishedadesignatedplace.Thesemaybeschools,butadesignatedcentrallocationisrecommendedwherethisisfeasibleandwhereitwilltakepressureoffschoolsandprovidethemtimetopreparetoreceivepupilsback.ItisenvisagedthatsomeoftheyoungpeoplereturnedwillbethemosthardtoreachwitharangeofissuesandwillprobablybepupilsthattheEWSarealreadyworkingwith.

279.Thecentralpointshouldbeaneutrallocationsuchasayouthcentrewithappropriatestaffinplace,whocandiscusstheproblemsyoungpeoplearefacing.Thiswillalsoenablekeyworkersfromrelevantagenciestobenotifiedorassigned.Thiscanbestaffed bylocalagenciesaswellasEWS,ensuringthattherewillbestaffwhocanwork withprimaryschoolagechildrenaswellassecondary.Itistheresponsibilityofthe LAtoensurethatallstaffwhoaredirectlyinvolvedwiththechildrenshouldhavethe relevantchecksmadebytheCriminalRecordsBureau.PoliceServicesareresponsiblefortheirpersonnel.

280.TheLAmayalsodesignateotherpremises,whichtheywillberesponsibleforstaffing.ThesecouldincludeofficesavailabletotheEWSorofficeswithinashoppingprecinctmaintainedbytheLAforthedurationofatruancyoperation.Theoptionsshouldbediscussedwiththepoliceatanearlystage.Thedesignatedpremisesmustnotincludepolicestationsortheschool(s)fromwhichapupilisexcluded.

281.Childrenandyoungpeopleshouldnotbetakentopolicestationsinexerciseofthetruancypowers.Inthisconnection,asindicatedabove,itshouldberememberedthatchildrenwhotruantfromschoolarenotcommittingacrime;theirparentsarelegallyresponsiblefortheirnon-attendance.

Points To Take Into Account

Children and young people not registered at school

282.Reasonsforachildnotbeingregisteredatschoolmayinclude:

• childrenunabletoaccesseducationduetoillnessandunlikelytodosobeforeceasingtobeofcompulsoryschoolage;

• childrenwhoarepermanentlyexcludedandwaitingtostartatanewschool,PRUorotherformofalternativeprovision;

66

• childrennon-residentbutonholidayinWales;

• newtotheareaandnothavingfoundaschoolplace;LAsareresponsibleforchildrenwhodonothaveaschoolplaceandmustmakeotherarrangementsfortheireducationuntilaplaceisfound;

• childrenmissingeducation:InSeptember2009theWelshAssemblyGovernmentcommencedsection436AoftheEducationandInspectionsAct2006whichrequiresthatlocalauthoritiesmustmakearrangementstoenablethemtoestablish(sofarasitispossibletodoso)theidentitiesofchildrenresidingintheirareawhoarenot receivinga‘suitableeducation’.Guidanceonthiscanbefoundat:http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/publications/guidance/missingeducation/?lang=en

283.Electivehomeeducation:Thesearenotthetargetforthesweeps,butarelikelytobeencounteredduetothefacttheyareofteneducatedoutsideoftraditionalschoolhoursandaccesslocalservicessuchaslibrariesandsportsfacilitiesaspartoftheireducation.FamiliesarenotlegallyrequiredtoregisterwiththeirLAalthoughsomedoandthisobviouslymakesiteasierwhenconfirmingthechild’sstatus.LAshaveadutytoidentifychildrenmissingfromeducationandtosafeguardallchildrenintheirarea.Further discussionsarenotnecessaryiftheleadofficerhasnoconcernsandissatisfiedthatachildisgenuinelyreceivingelectivehomeeducation.Furtherinformationonelectivehomeeducationcanbefoundlaterinthisguidance.

284.Thewelfareandprotectionofallchildrenandyoungpeopleareofparamountconcern andtheresponsibilityofthewholecommunity.Ifanychildprotectionconcerns becomeapparentinthecourseofengagementwithchildrenorfamilies,orotherwise,these concernsshouldbereportedtotheappropriateauthoritiesusingestablishedprotocols.

Pupils legitimately out of school

285.Thesection16poweronlyappliestochildrenofcompulsoryschoolagewhoareregisteredatschool.Policeofficerswillneedtobeawareofvalidreasonsforregisteredpupilsandotherchildrenandyoungpeoplebeingoutofschoolduringschoolhours.Theseinclude:

• excludedchildren(permanent/fixedterm);

• pupilswhoareonalternativeprovisionandwhoaretravellingbetweeneducation venues;

• pupilsenrouteto,orreturningfrom,amedicalordentalappointmentwhichshouldhavebeennotifiedtotheschool;

• childrenwhomaynotbeabletoaccessfulltimeeducationduetotheirmedicalneeds(NB:thesechildrenwillusuallyberegisteredatamainstreamschoolandmaybe receivingeducationfromLAhospitalorhometeachingserviceetc.);

• fieldtrips,educationalvisitsorsurveys(pupilsengagedinsuchactivitieswillnormallybeaccompaniedbyschoolstaff,sothereshouldbenodifficultywiththese);

67

• religiousobservance(thelawallowsfornon-attendanceinthecaseofadayexclusivelysetasideforreligiousobservanceinthefaithtowhichtheparentsbelong,althoughnormallyschoolswouldexpecttoagreethisinadvance);

• GypsyandTravellerchildrenwithleaveofabsencegrantedforpurposesoftravelling;

• GuidancecanbefoundinMovingForward-GypsyTravellerEducation(circular003/2008);

• pupilsenroutetooff-sitesportsfacilitiesorgoingtootherschoolbuildingsinthecaseofsplit-siteschools;

• otherspecialcircumstancesforwhichleaveofabsencehasbeengrantedortrulyunavoidablecircumstanceswhichmayjustifyabsence;

• childrentakingpartinperformancesundertheprovisionofalicencegrantedinaccordancewiththeChildrenandYoungPersonsAct1963andassociatedregulations;

• studyleave;and

• childrenonworkexperienceplacementsarrangedthroughtheschool.

286.Nofurtheractionshouldbetakenwherechildrenindicateanyoftheaboveunlessthereisreasontodoubt.

Pupil Passes

287.Someschoolsalreadyoperatesystemswherebyprintedpassesareissuedtopupilstoconfirmthattheyhaveauthoritytobeoff-siteduringschoolhours,e.g.foradentalappointment.Theissuingofpassesbyschoolsisstronglyrecommendedasapermanentstrategy,anditis,ofcourse,particularlyhelpfulinareaswheretruancyinitiativesareoperating.Arrangementsshouldbemadeattheplanningstageforpoliceofficerstoseeasampleofpassesusedlocally.Thelocalauthorityshouldconsidertheissueofguidancetoschoolgoverningbodiesaboutpupilpasses.

Out-of-Area Pupils

288.ItisacommonoccurrenceforapupillivinginoneareatoattendschoolinanadjacentareaandtruancyoperationsmayencounterchildrentruantingacrossLAboundaries.ThepoliceofficerwillhavethediscretiontotakeapupilbacktoschoolortothedesignatedcentrallocationfortheLAareainwhichthechildispickedup,butthereisnolegalobligationonthepolicetotakethechildbacktoitsownschoolifthatschoolisoutofthearea.TheLAshouldthereforeliaisewithneighbouringLAsaboutfollow-uparrangementsforchildrenfoundoutofareaandensurethatanunderstandingisarrivedatbeforeatruancysweeptakesplace.Whereachild’shomeareamakesitimpracticableforhimorhertobecollectedbyarepresentativeofthehomeLA,theLArunningtheinitiativeshouldensurethatthechild’sdetailsarepassedtothehomeLA’sEWSorequivalent.LAsshouldhaveprotocolswithneighbouringauthoritiesincludingEnglandfordealingwithcrossborderissues.LAswouldnotbeexpectedtoretainorexchangeinformationcollectedfromasweeponchildrenwhoresideoutsideWalesasthiscouldbebreachoftheDataProtectionAct1998.

68

289.WherepupilsarefoundnottobefromtheLAorneighbouringLAs,theLAshouldnotifytheEWSoftheschoolofthepupil.Ifthisisnotpossible,theEWSwherethatpupillivesshouldbenotified,inlightofthefactthatthepupilmaybemissingeducation.

Refusal to Comply

290.Theremaybeoccasionalcasesinwhichsuspectedtruantsrefusetocomply.Insuchcases,ifthepoliceofficerhasreasonablegroundsforbelievingthatthechildoryoungpersonisabsentfromschoolwithoutauthority,thepowerundersection16andsection 8willenabletheofficertousesuchreasonableforceasisnecessaryinthecircumstances.Whatthisreasonableforcemightbewilldependonthecircumstancesat thetime.It mustbeproportionatetothenatureofthepowerandthebehaviourofthechildoryoungpersonconcerned.Ifthechildoryoungpersonresistswithviolence,that,initself,mightbeanoffenceofassaultandotherpowerswouldcomeintoplay.

Once the child is returned to the Designated Central Location or School

291.Onceachildoryoungpersonhasbeenreturned,itisimportantthatthereshouldbeadequatereceptionarrangements.Inthecaseofaschool,(oraPupilReferralUnit)thismeansensuringthatapastoralornamedperson(s)arereadytoreceivebackintoschoolpupilsfoundoutsideschoolpremisesandreturnthemtoclassormakeothersuitablearrangementsforthem.TheschoolortheEWSwillalsoneedtonotifyparentsthattheir childhasbeenpickedupandreturnedtoschoolorplaceofsafety.

292.Ifchildrenarebeingreturnedtootherpremises,theLAneedstoensurethatarrangementsexistfornotifyingschoolsthattheirpupilsareataparticularlocationand ofthearrangementsfortheirreturn.Whetherpupilsarereturnedtoaschoolorotherlocation,formalrecordingproceduresshouldbeinstituted.

293.Itisalsoworthestablishinganattendanceplan,completedforeachyoungpersonwithinoneweekoftheirbeingpickedup.Thisplanwillmainlyconcentrateontheirreintegrationbackintoschoolandshouldthereforebewritteninconjunctionwithschools.WherepupilsalreadyhaveaPastoralSupportProgramme(PSP)thisshouldbe reviewed.ConsiderationshouldalsobegivenastowhetheraPSPshouldbedrawn-upfortheotherpupilswhosepoorattendanceandotherproblemsarehighlightedaspartofthetruancysweep.AreferraltotheEWSshouldbeconsideredif appropriate.Anidentifiedpersonwithintheschoole.g.headofyearcanbeassignedtomonitorprogress.

294.Theremaybeoccasionalcasesinwhichsuspectedtruantsrefusetocomply.Insuchcases,ifthepoliceofficerhasreasonablegroundsforbelievingthatthechildoryoungpersonisabsentfromschoolwithoutauthority,thepowerundersection117ofthePoliceandCriminalEvidenceAct1984enablesanofficertousesuchreasonableforceasisnecessaryinthecircumstances.Whatthisreasonableforcemightbewilldependonthecircumstancesatthetime.Itmustbeproportionatetothenatureofthepower

69

andthebehaviourofthechildoryoungpersonconcerned.Ifthechildoryoungpersonresistswithviolence,that,initself,mightbeanoffenceofassaultandotherpowerswouldcomeintoplay.

Follow-Up Work in Schools

295.Truancysweepsrepresentagoodopportunitytohighlighttheimportanceofattendingschoolandassuchanyfurtherendorsingofthemessageinschoolsfollowingatruancysweepistobewelcomed.ThismighttaketheformofdiscussionsaspartofPSElessonsorotherpartsofthecurriculum.Alternatively,itmayberaisedaspartofschoolassemblyorasadiscussionpointforschoolcouncils.

Collaborative and Multi-Agency Working

296.Goodpracticeatschoollevelneedstobemirroredbycollaborativeandmulti-agencyapproachestosupportschools.Poorattendanceandbehaviourinschoolarelikelytobe linkedtoarangeofotherissuesoutsideschool:onlyacoordinatedapproachislikelytoachievealongtermsolution.

297.LAshaveadutyundertheChildrenAct2004tomakearrangementstopromotecooperationbetweenthemselvesandvariousotherbodiestoimprovethewell-beingof all childrenintheirareaincludingthoseeducatedoutsidetheschoolsystem.Support fromotheragenciescaneasetheburdenonschoolsandtheEWS,enhance multi-agencyworkingandleadtobetteroutcomesfortheyoungpeopleinvolved.Plans shouldbediscussedwithschools,schoolstaffandotheragenciesworkingintheauthoritysuchaschildrenandyoungpeople’spartnerships,theyouthservice,youthoffendingteams,substancemisuseadvisoryregionalteamsandcommunitysafetypartnerships.

298.TheEWS,educationalpsychologists,healthworkers,socialservicesdepartmentsandchildandadolescentmentalhealthservices(CAMHS)eachmakedistinctcontributions.Theyouthserviceareincreasinglybeginningtoworkwithyoungpeoplewhoaredisaffectedorwhohavedroppedoutofschoolorhaveotherbehaviouralproblems.Increasinglyyouthworkersworkwithyoungpeoplewherevertheyhappentobe,not onlythosewhoattendcentresandclubs.

299.Multi-agencyteamsinmanyLAscansupportandtrainteachers,orworkwithindividualorgroupsofpupilstoimprovebehaviour.ForexampleBehaviourSupportTeamcanbringtogetheracomplementarymixofprofessionalsfromthefieldsofhealth,socialcareandeducation.Theaimofthisteamistopromoteemotionalwell-being,positivebehaviourandschoolattendance,byidentifyingandsupportingthosewith,oratriskofdeveloping,emotionalandbehaviouralproblems.Theyworkwithchildrenandyoungpeople,theirfamiliesandschoolstointerveneearlyandpreventproblemsdevelopingfurther.

300.TheYouthOffendingServicewillinvolvesocialservices,probationofficers,policeofficers,healthandeducationstaff,co-ordinatedlocalyouthjusticeservices.TheYOSeducation

70

workeractsasalinkageforpupilsoutofschoolwiththerelevantlocalauthorityservices,asapointof contactwiththeaimofre-engagingwithmainstreameducation.

301.Itiscommonforpupilstoattendaschoolinadifferentlocalauthority’sareatotheonein whichtheylive.Localauthoritiesshouldestablishprotocolsfordealingwithsuchchildrenandsupportingschoolswhichutiliseappropriatelevelsofmulti-disciplinaryand multi-agencyworkingforeachindividualcase.However,initialresponsibilityfordealingwithattendanceandbehaviourissuesrestswiththeschoolandthentheschool’s localauthority.

302.Socialservicesdepartmentsundertakeassessmentsofchildreninneedincollaborationwithotherrelevantprofessionalsincludinghealth,educationandthevoluntarychildcare sector.Theassessmentshouldlookatallaspectsofthechild’sdevelopmentalneedsandtheirparents’capacitytorespondtothoseneedswithinthewiderfamilyand communitynetwork.

303.Whereachildoryoungpersonhasarangeofadditionalandinterlinkedsupportneedswhicharesupportedbymorethanonepractitioner,integratedsupportcanmosteffectivelybedeliveredthroughonepersontakingtheleadrole-theleadprofessional.The leadprofessionalactsasasinglepointofcontactforthechild,youngpersonandfamily;ensuresthatappropriateandcoordinatedinterventionsareeffectivelydelivered;andreducesoverlapandinconsistencyfromotherpractitioners.

ExemplardocscanbefoundinSection2.

71

Example Process Map

Crime and Disorder Act 1998 section 16 (Police Powers to Remove Truants)

Schoolsaretoldofthepupilsstoppedandtheoutcome.InsomecasestheEWOvisitsthehomeofthosereturnedtoschoolandmonitorstheattendanceofthosepupils

EWS / Police meet to decide the area and timing

of the order

Schools notified of the Order and request that they make

provision for any pupils return to school

On the day of the Order EWS /Police meet in the Designated

Place for the briefing

EWS / Police deployed into the area of the Order (Foot patrols

and mobile)

Those stopped with their parents and without just

reason warned that they must return to school

Parents are given an information leaflet

Those pupils stopped who are truanting are returned

to school

Parents are notified in writing

Neighbouring authorities notified of the order and

arrangements made

Those pupils who have no school or refuse to say are taken to the Designated Place

After investigation pupil is either returned to school/

home or parents are notified in writing

72

f. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)304.Developingauniversalschool-basedcounsellingserviceforallchildrenandyoung

peopleinWaleswasarecommendationoftheChildren’sCommissionerforWalesClywchInquiryReport.ItwasalsooneofthekeyactionssetoutintheNationalServiceFrameworkforChildren,YoungPeopleandMaternityServicesinWales.TheWelshAssemblyGovernment’sgoalistohavecounsellingprovisionavailabletoallschoolpupilsprovidingthemwithsomeonetoturntoiftheyneedhelporsupport.

305.Counsellingisoneofarangeofservicesthathelptosupportthehealth,emotionalandsocialneedsofpupilsandleadtoahealthyschoolculture.Evidenceshowsthatacounsellingservicewhichprovidessupportwithinanoverallschoolstrategycanbehighlyeffectiveinpromotingyoungpeople’swelfare,supportingtheirlearningandalleviatingandpreventingtheescalationofmentalhealthproblems.

306.Referralsforyoungpeopleforschools’counsellingwillbetakenfromanyinterestedpartiesincludingyoungpeople,parents,teachers,welfareofficers,schoolnurses,Youth OffendingService,GeneralPractitioners,Children’sServices,CAMHS,YouthWorkersetc.Inmakingareferralforapupiltohavecounsellingfromtheschoolcounsellor,teachersneedtobeawareoftheneedtoaccessparentalconsentforpupilstoaccesscounsellingforpupilsaged16yearsofageandunder.Forthepupiltobeeligibletoreceivecounselling,thepupilmustunderstandthenatureofcounsellingandbeabletomakeavalidverbalcounsellingcontract,includingtheabilitytounderstandtheprincipleofconfidentiality.

307.Primarymentalhealthworkershavebeenintroducedinmanyareas.Theyprovidesupporttoawidearrayofprofessionalswhoworkwithchildrenandyoungpeople,such asGPs,schoolnurses,schoolstaffandsocialworkers.Thesupportprovidedbyprimarymentalhealthworkerscanensurestaffaremoreconfidentinidentifyingandmanagingemotionalandmentalhealthproblemsintheirearlystages.

308.TheEWSareoftenanearlyportofcallwhenschoolsneedtodealwithanattendanceproblem,whichcanbeanearlysymptomofadevelopingemotionalormentalhealthproblem.Someeducationwelfareservicesidentifyarangeofstepstobetakentosupportcontinuingaccesstoeducationforchildrenwithanemotionalormentalhealthproblem.Theseincludenegotiatingrevisedtimetables,reintegrationpackagesandhometuition.AbalanceneedstobestruckbetweenscreeningprocessesdesignedtoensurereferralstospecialistCAMHSareappropriateandenablingtimelyandeffectiveaccesstothese services.

309.ChildrencanbeplacedoutoftheirlocalauthorityareaforanumberofreasonsincludingadmissiontoaninpatientCAMHSunit,orbecausethereisalackofsuitableaccommodation,servicesorspecialistfostercarerslocally.Itisgoodpracticeforachild’slocalEWStotakestepstosupportcontinuingaccesstoeducationwhenachildisaninpatientoutofarea.

73

310.Acommonissueforallgroupsofstaffwhoworkwithandsupportchildrenandyoungpeopleisthattherespectiverolesofdifferentprofessionalsandagenciesinsupportingchildrenandyoungpeoplewithmentalhealthproblemsisoftenunclear.It isgoodpracticeforEWStoagreetheirrolewithspecialistCAMHS,socialservicesand educationalpsychologistsintheirlocalauthorityandhaveguidelinesforreferralthat havebeendistributedtoallschools.

g. Pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)311.Alllocalauthoritiesshouldhaveinplaceapolicytosupportwhereappropriatethe

inclusionofpupilswithadditionallearningneeds(ALN).ThetermALNreferstothosepersonswhoreceiveeducationandtrainingandhavea‘greaterdifficultyinlearningthanthemajorityofpersonsofthesameage’.ThisistoencompassalllearnersinWaleswhoselearningneedsaregreaterthantheirpeersofthesameageandwhichdonotnecessarilyamounttoSENasdefinedintheEducationAct1996.FurtherguidanceonpupilgroupswhohavebeenidentifiedashavingadditionallearningneedscanbefoundinInclusionandPupilSupportGuidanceCircular47/2006.

312.Theterm‘SpecialEducationalNeeds’isasubcategoryofALNandcontinuestobeusedforthoselearnerswhohavealearningdifficultywhichcallsforspecialeducationalprovisiontobemadeforthem.

313.InaccordancewiththeSENCodeofPracticeforWales(2004)theEWSwill:

• assistschoolstaffandparentswithearlyidentificationandmanagementofchildrenwhomayhavespecialeducationalneedsand/orbehaviouraldifficulties;

• participateintheformalassessmentofthechid,providewrittenreports,refertoandliaisewithotheragencies;

• whereappropriate,supportparentparticipationthroughouttheassessmentandreviewprocessandactasanadvocateforthepupilandthefamily;

• advise,guideandsupportschoolstaffandparentswhenachild’sbehaviourgivescauseforconcerneitheratschoolorathome;and

• escort/transportpupilsandfamilywhenrequestedbytheLA.

h. Youth Offending Service (YOS)314.YouthOffendingService(YOS)inWalesareworkingtopreventchildrenandyoung

peoplefromoffendingthrougharangeoftargetedprogrammes.Theycarryoutastandardassessmentforallyoungpeoplecomingintotheyouthjusticesystemanddevelopindividualsupervisionplanstoaddressparticularneeds.Theyprovideinterventionprogrammesforyoungpeoplewhohaveafinalwarningfromthepoliceoracommunitypenalty.YOSalsosupportthosewithcustodialsentences,aswellasprovidingcourt-basedservices.

74

315.ThereshouldbecloseliaisonbetweentheYJSEducationOfficerandtheEWSTeam.

Inthisworkingcontext,additionalresponsibilitiestotheEWS’sroleareto:

• promotemulti-disciplinaryworkingwithintheYouthOffendingService;

• workcloselywithPolice,SafeguardingandSupport,Probation,LAandtheschoolsto preventandreduceoffendingbehaviour;

• supportaccesstomainstreamre-integration;and

• whenrequestedprovidereportsfortheYouthCourt.

i. Family holidays during term time316.TheEducation(PupilRegistration)(Wales)Regulations2010giveschoolsdiscretionary

powertograntleaveforthepurposeofanannualfamilyholidayduringtermtime.Parentsdonothaveanautomaticrighttowithdrawpupilsfromschoolforaholidayand,inlaw,havetoapplyforpermissioninadvance.Suchpermissionisusuallygrantedinaccordancewitharrangementsmadebythegoverningbodyoftheschool.Onlyinexceptionalcircumstancesmaytheamountofleavegrantedexceed(intotal)morethantenschooldaysinanytwelve-monthperiod.

317.WelshAssemblyGovernmentguidanceclearlystatesthatthereferencetoexceptional circumstancesmeansthattheparentmustmakeoutastrongcasefortakingthechildawayformorethantwoweeksayear.Parentsshouldnotexpect,orbeledtoexpect,thatschoolswillagreetofamilyholidaysduringtermtime.Schoolsmayneedtoremindparentsofthisfromtimetotime(seeSection2).Schoolstaffshouldconsidereachrequestindividually-“blanketapproval”policiesarenotacceptable.Thefollowingfactorsshouldbeconsideredwhenassessingrequests-noonefactorshouldberegardedasconclusive:

• timeofyearofproposedtrip;

• lengthandpurposeoftheholiday;

• durationoftheholidayanditsimpactoncontinuityoflearning;

• circumstancesofthefamilyandthewishesofparents;

• theoverallattendancepatternofthechild;and

• Leaveofabsenceformorethantwoweeksmustbeseenasexceptional.Schoolsshouldcarefullyexplorewithparentswhysuchleaveofabsenceisnecessary.Where suchabsencesaresanctionedtheyshouldbecountedasanauthorised absence.

318.Whereparentsfailtoabidebytheagreementreachedwiththeschoolandkeepachildawayfromschoolinexcessoftheperiodagreedorwhereparentsfailtoapplyfor permission,theextratimetakenshouldbetreatedasanunauthorised absence.

319.Whereschoolsareexperiencingdifficultieswithfamilyholidaysintermtime,theymaywishto:

• focusontheissueatparents’meetings;

• issuealetteronthemattertoparents;or

• contacttheschoolEWOforadviceandsupport.

75

320.Allrequestsforholidayleaveshouldbeinwriting,whichshouldbemadebyaparent/carerofthechildeveniftheyarenotgoingonholidaywiththem.Iftheparentwithwhomthechildlivesdoesnotgiveconsenttotheholiday,leavecannotbegivenlawfully bytheschoolexceptbyacourtorder.

DocumentstosupportthiscanbefoundinSection2.

j. Extended overseas trips321.Whenmakingjudgementsaboutextendedabsenceforpupilsfromminorityethnic

families,schoolsshouldensurethatfullaccounthasbeentaken,notonlyoftheRegulationsandWelshAssemblyGovernmentguidance,butalsoofthesituationofminorityethnicfamiliesingeneralandtheparticularcircumstancesrelatingtoeachindividualcase.Itisimportantthatschoolsshowanunderstandingoftheparents’perspectiveeventhoughtheschoolmaynotbeabletocomplywitharequestfor absence.

322.Schoolsshouldensurethatallparentsareawareoftheschool’spolicyonabsence.In thecaseofminorityethnicparents,specialcareshouldbetakentoensurethattheRegulationsarefullyexplainedandunderstood.Interpretersshouldbeusedif necessary or,whereanumberofparentsareconcerned,theschoolmaywishto considerorganisingaspecialmeetingfortheseparents.

323.Schoolsshouldtakeaccountofthefollowing:

• avisitinvolvingafamilyoverseashasanentirelydifferentsignificancefromthenormalassociationswith‘holiday’whichisthecategoryrecognisedbytheWelshAssemblyGovernment;

• visitsmaybeveryimportantintermsofchildren’sidentityandself-esteemastheygrowup;

• parentsmayfeelthattheplannedvisitoutweighstheimportanceoftheirchild’suninterruptedattendanceatschool-maintainingfamilylinksmayinvolvegreatersignificanceandgreaterpressureinsomesocietiesthanitdoesintheUK;and

• thereasonsforparentsmakingavisitmaybesimilartothoseforindigenousparents,e.g.familyillness,bereavement,etc.

324.However,schoolsshouldexplaintoparentsthat:-

• advancepermissionmustbeagreed;

• theabsenceshouldbeplannedcarefullywiththeschool;

• wherepossible,extendedvisitsshouldbemadeduringschoolholidays;

• ifholidaysmustbetakenduringtermtime,absenceshouldnotexceedmorethanten schooldays;

• holidaysduringexaminationtimeshouldbeavoidedatallcosts;

• somechildrennevercatchupandwillunder-performintheirexaminations;and

• theirchild’snamemayberemovedfromtheregisterifheorshehasnotreturnedto schoolwithintenschooldaysoftheexpecteddateofreturn.

76

325.Ifabsenceisagreed,schoolsshouldconsider:-

• thepotentialeducationalvalueofthevisit;

• theamountofschoolworkmissedandhowparentsandtheschoolcanhelptheirchildcatchuponhis/herreturntoschool;

• preparingastudypack;

• askingpupilstomakenotes/observationsinrelationtoacurrentorforthcomingclass topics;

• goingthroughanyworkthathasbeencompletedbythepupilonreturntoschool;and

• sharingexperiencewithotherpupils-theclassteachercouldaskthechildtobringintoschoolpostagestampsandothermemorabiliafromthecountryvisited.These itemscouldbeusedtomakeaclassdisplay.

DocumentstosupportthisworkcanbefoundinSection2.

k. Absence for trivial medical reasons326.Pupilsarenotexpectedtoattendschoolwhentheyarenotwellenoughtodoso

whetherasaresultofshortterm,longtermorrecurringillnesses.However,theyshouldnotbekeptawayfromschoolwhentheyarewellenoughtogotolessonsorwhentheyhaveminorailmentswhichdonotpreventthemfromtakingpartintheireducation.A usefulruleofthumbiswhethertheailmentwouldkeepparentsandteachersawayfromwork.

327.Schoolsshouldhaveanestablishedsysteminplacetoenableparents/carerstoreporttheirchild’sabsencebecauseofillness.Itisreasonablefortheschooltoaskthenatureoftheillness,asktheparenttheexpectedlengthofabsenceandmakearrangementsfor theparenttocalltheschoolagainifthesituationchanges.

328.Schoolshavetherighttoconsiderwhethertoaccepttheparent/carerspositionwithregardtomedicalabsenceasthereareoccasionswhenparentsreportparentallycondonedabsencetotheschoolasmedicalabsence.Iftheschoolhasconcernsthattheillnessmaynoteitherbegenuineorwarranttheamountofabsenceaccruing,theschoolmayasktheparenttosubstantiatetheillnessbyaskingtoseeadditionalevidencesuchasanappointmentcard.

329.However,theyshouldnotrequestadditionalevidenceeverytimepupilsmissschoolduetoillness.Restrictingsuchrequeststowhentheschoolhasconcernsthatapupilwasnotillorthattheillnesswastrivialanddidnotwarranttimeoffreducestheadministrativeburdenonschools.Schoolsandlocalauthoritystaffshouldalsobeawareofthepressuretheycouldplaceondoctors’appointmentsystemsiftheyrequestaDoctor’sNoteeverytimepupilsareill.Theyshouldalsobeawareofthelimitedvaluethatsuchnoteshaveifadoctordidnottreatthepupilfortheillness.

77

330.Schoolsshouldhaveaclearpolicytoaddressincidencesofrecurringabsencewhereillnessisgivenasareason,butthereareindicationsorconcernsthatthismaynotbethe case.Insomeschools,10sessionsofillnessthatappearunfoundedcanresultinthe pupilandparentorcarerbeingofferedanappointmentwiththeschoolnurse.

l. Looked After Children (LAC)331.Researchhasshownthatoneofthefactorsmostlikelytodisadvantagelookedafter

children(LAC)isthetimelostintheireducation,especiallyprevalentwhenmovingbetweenschoolsorplacesofresidence.Attendancemonitoringispivotaltoensuringall childrencanaccesseducationatalltimes.

332.Withinalocalauthoritythereareseveralagenciesthatrequireinformationontheattendanceoflookedafterchildrenandclearcommunicationchannelsarerequiredthat aremindfuloftheneedforsensitivityandconfidentiality.

333.TheEWS,aswellasensuringattendanceinformationiscollectedcentrallyandrelevantinformationfromhomevisitsisrelatedtotheschooland/orsocialworker,arethegatekeepersforprovidinganoverviewoftheattendanceoflookedafterchildrenbothinternallyacrossthecountyandtosocialworkersfromotherlocalauthoritieswhoareactingintheircorporateparentrole.

334.Somelocalauthoritiesenlistindependentsupporttofacilitatethetrackingoflookedafterchildren.CompanieswhichoffersuchaservicetoLAsmakecontactwithschoolsontheLAsbehalfonadailybasis.Ifachildisabsentfromschoolthecarersarecontactedtodeterminethereasonwhy.Thesocialworkerisalsocontactedtoadvisethemthatthechildisabsent.Reportscanbegeneratedovernight,listingthechildrenwhowereabsentthepreviousday,thisreportcanbesenttoasmanyrecipientsastheauthoritywouldlike,whichhelpsintheinformationsharingandallowsalldepartmentstoaccessthesameinformation.

335.TheLookedAfterChildrenEducationCo-ordinator(LACE)andthedesignatedmemberofstaffinaschool,eachhavearoletoplayinthetrackingofpupilslookedafter,whichincludesattendance.LACEco-ordinatorswillbecentraltotheLA’spoliciesonadmissionandexclusionandlegislationsetoutin: Towards a Stable Life and Brighter Future 2007.Thereisarequirementforamulti-agencypanel,consistingofrelevantcolleaguesfromHealth,EducationandChildren’sServicestodiscusstheplacementoptionsforchildrenincare.Forexample,transportarrangementscanbemadesothattravellingdoesnotbecomeabarrierforattendanceatschoolorothereducationsetting.TheEWSshouldbecontributetothePanel.

336.The Education (Admission of Looked After Children) (Wales) Regulations 2009requiresthatadmissionintoaschoolisprioritisedforlookedafterchildrenandthatanyeducationalelementsofalookedafterchild’splancanbeimplementedswiftly.EWOs arewellplacedtoassistschoolswithtransitionarrangementsforlookedafterchildrenbothinadmissiontoandfromtheschool,detailsofwhicharerecordedonthePersonalEducationPlan(PEP).

78

337.LACECo-ordinatorsaremostlikelytohavetheresponsibilityfortheperformanceindicatorsontheattendanceoflookedafterchildreninprimaryandsecondary,whicharelocatedwithinsocialserviceselementofthelcoalauthorityperformancemanagementframework.Tothisend,anauditonattendanceandnumbersofLACineacheducationalprovisionshouldbeprovidedbytheEWStotheLACECo-ordinatorwhenrequiredduringtheschoolyearandalwaysattheendoftheschoolyear.

338. Section 20 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008,requiresthegoverningbodyofamaintainedschooltoappointadesignatedmemberofstaffattheschooltopromoteeducationalachievement(includingattendance)oflookedafterchildrenwhoareregisteredpupilsattheschool.ThedesignatedmemberofstaffwillbetrainedinkeyaspectsofattendanceofLACaswellasdailymonitoringandimplementingfirstcontactproceduresforLAC.Thisincludes:

• thetypeofcareorderinplace,aspermissionforLACtoattendschooltripsorotheractivitiesassociatedwitheducationvariesaccordingtothetypeofcareorderinplace.Truancycanbeatemptationifpermissionhasnotbeengainedandfriendsareontheschooltrip,forexample;

• whenadirectapplicationforaschoolplaceismadetotheschoolforachildfromanotherlocalauthority.Ithasbeenknownthatchildrenofotherlocalauthoritieshavebeenplacedinanareawithanindependentfostercarerwhothenappliestothe schoolregardlessofappropriatesupportbeingavailableortheeducatingauthoritybeingaware;

• theinformationrecordedonthePupilLevelAnnualSchoolCensus(PLASC);

• theencouragementofgoodattendance,settingtargetswhereappropriateinliaisonwiththeEWO,thesocialworker,thefostercarerandparentswhereappropriate;and

• thefacilitationofrecordingofattendanceinformationonthePersonalEducationPlan(PEP).ItisastatutoryrequirementforalllookedafterchildrentohaveaPEPwhichsetsoutcleareducationalgoalsandtargetsandprovidesarecordofprogressandachievement.

m. Elective home education339.ElectiveHomeEducationiswhereparentsorguardiansdecidetoprovidehomebased

educationfortheirchildreninsteadofsendingthemtoschool.Itisnothometuitionprovidedbythelocalauthorityorwherealocalauthorityprovideseducationotherwisethanatschool.Section6oftheInclusionandPupilSupportWAGcircular47/2006setsoutthecurrentWelshAssemblyguidanceonElectiveHomeEducation.

The legal background

340.Article2ofProtocol1oftheEuropeanConventiononHumanRightsstatesthat:No personshallbedeniedtherighttoeducation.Intheexerciseofanyfunctionswhichitassumesinrelationtoeducationandtoteaching,theStateshallrespecttherightofparentstoensuresucheducationandteachingisinconformitywiththeirownreligiousandphilosophicalconvictions.

79

341.ParentshavearighttoeducatetheirchildrenathomeprovidingthattheyfulfiltherequirementsofSection7oftheEducationAct,1996whichplacesadutyontheparentsofeverychildofcompulsoryschoolagetocausehimorhertoreceiveefficientfull-timeeducationsuitabletotheirage,abilityandaptitude,andtoanyspecialeducationalneedsthattheymayhave,eitherbyregularattendanceatschoolorotherwise.

342.Undersection437oftheEducationAct1996,aLAmustbylawserveaSchoolAttendanceOrderontheparentofachildofcompulsoryschoolagewhofailstoprovethatthechildisreceivingsuitableeducationandwheretheauthorityisoftheopinionthatthechildshouldattendschool.Thisdutyappliesequallyinrelationtoallchildren,regardlessofwhetherornottheyhavepreviouslyattendedalocalauthorityschoolin the area.ThedefinitionofsuitableeducationisthesameasthatcontainedinSection 7oftheEducationAct1996asdescribedabove.

Identifying children who are receiving elective home education

343.Parentswhosechildrenareregisteredpupilsataschoolmustensurethattheirnamesareremovedfromtheschooladmissionsregisterwhentheywithdrawthemfromschooltohomeeducate.Iftheydonotdosotheymaybeliabletoprosecutionforfailingto ensuretheirchild’sregularattendanceattheschoolwheretheyareregistered.Under theEducation(PupilRegistration)Regulations,1995asamendedparentsarerequiredto informschoolsinwritingthattheyareeducatingtheirchildrenathome.

344.ThereisnogeneralrequirementforparentstoinformLAsofthefactthattheyintendtoeducateathome.ThismakesitparticularlydifficultforLAstokeeptrackofcertaingroupsofchildren,forexample:

• thosewhohaveneverattendedamaintainedschool;

• thosewhohaveneverattendedamaintainedschoolinthatauthority’sarea;

• thosewhohavefinishedprimaryeducationinoneschoolbuthasnotstartedsecondaryeducationinanother;and

• thosewheretheschooltheyhavebeenattendinghasclosed.

345.WhereparentshavenotifiedtheLAortheLAisotherwisemadeawareofachild’swithdrawalfromschoolwiththeintentionofbeinghomeeducated,theLAshouldacknowledgethereceiptofthisnotificationandconsiderquicklywhetherthereisanyexistingevidence,eitherinanauthority’sownrecordsorfromotherservicesoragencies,indicatingwhethertheremaybecauseforconcernoverthewithdrawal.Previous irregularattendanceatschoolisnotofitselfasufficientcauseforconcern.In thesecasestheLAshouldimmediatelyrefertheseconcernstotheappropriatestatutoryauthoritiesusingestablishedprotocols.Otherwise,theLAshouldassumethatefficienteducationalprovisionistakingplace,whichissuitableforthechild,unlessthereisevidencetothecontrary.Thereisnoexpressrequirementinthe1996ActforLAstoinvestigateactivelywhetherparentsarecomplyingwiththeirdutiesunderSection7.

80

Flexi-schooling

346.‘Flexi-schooling’or‘flexibleschoolattendance’isanarrangementbetweentheparentandtheschoolwherethechildisregisteredatschoolinthenormalway,butwherethe childattendstheschoolonlyparttime;therestofthetimethechildishome-educated(effectivelyonauthorisedabsencefromschool).Thisissometimesdoneasa short-termmeasureforaparticularreason.Flexi-schoolingisalegaloptionprovidedthattheheadteacherattheschoolconcernedand,inmanycases,theLAaswell,agree tothearrangement

Local authority policy

347.ItisrecommendedthatLAsshouldhaveawrittenpolicystatementonhomeeducatedchildrenandtheirfamilieswhichhasbeenpreparedinconsultationwithhomeeducatingfamilies.ItisalsorecommendedthattheLAbewillingandabletoprovideguidanceforparentsandcarerswhorequestit.Inaddition,LAsshouldorganisetrainingonthelawandhomeeducationmethodsforalltheirEducationOfficerswhohavecontactwithhome-educatingfamiliesintheirarea.Localauthoritiesshouldseektobuildeffectiverelationshipswithhomeeducatorsthatnotonlyfunctiontosafeguardtheeducationalinterestsandwelfareofthechildoryoungperson,butalsoprovideopportunitiesforparentstoaccessinformationabouthealthservices,vaccinations,careersguidanceetc.

n. Advocacy348.Meicisanewhelplineserviceforchildrenandyoungpeopleuptotheageof25in

Wales.Theserviceprovidesadviceandadvocacyasappropriatethroughfreephonelines,freetextingandinstantmessaging.Itcomplementsandsignpoststootherlocalandnationalservices,howevertheremaybetimeswhentheserviceneedstocontactanotherserviceonbehalfofachildoryoungperson(withtheirconsent)(http://www.meiccymru.org)

o. Unlawful exclusions (sometimes referred to as unofficial or illegal exclusions)

Unlawful exclusion refers to:

• headteachersorotherschoolstaffsendingpupilshomefordisciplinaryreasons,but notfollowingtheproceduresrequiredforformalexclusion(evenifdonewiththe agreementofparentsorcarers);

• pupilsbeingsenthomeforeithershortperiodsoftime,orforlonger,indefinite,periodswhichcansometimesresultinthepupilnotreturningtoschoolatall(evenifdonewiththeagreementofparentsorcarers);and

• influencingorencouragingaparentto‘voluntarily’withdrawtheirchildfromschool.

349.Thesepupilsmaybemarkedasanauthorisedabsence,orinsomecasesmarkedasattending,andeventuallytakenofftheschoolrollincorrectlywithouthavinganotherschoolplacetogoto.Thispracticeisillegalandtheformalexclusionprocessshouldalwaysbeused.

81

‘Cooling Off’

350.Wherecriticalsituationshaveeruptedduringtheschoolday,headteachersmaydecidetosendpupilshometo’cooloff’fortheremainderofthedaywithoutfollowingtheformalexclusionsprocess.Thismaybeviewedasasuitablewaytomanagethepupil’sbehaviourintheshort-termandaspreferabletoformalexclusion.However,thisalsoconstitutesunlawfulexclusionandthereisnolegalbasisforit.Itcannotbeviewedasan internalmanagementarrangementasthisignorestherightsoftheindividualchildandcouldlaytheschoolopentolegalchallenge.

351.Beingunlawfullyexcludedorsenthometo‘cooloff’mayresultinabreachtothepupil’shumanrightnottobedeniededucationwhichcouldresultinanorderfordamagesagainstaschoolifapupilweretobesuccessfulinsuchaclaim.

Other mechanisms some schools may use as a means of ‘unofficially excluding’ pupils include:

• followingafixed-termexclusion,apupilremainsoutofschoolawaitingareintegrationinterviewwhichmaybeindefinitelydelayedandthepupildoesnot returntoschool;

• parentsbeingadvisedthatiftheirchildreturnstoschoolafterthefixed-termexclusionends,thechildwillbepermanentlyexcluded;

• parentsbeingstronglyencouragedtohomeeducateeventhoughtheymaynotbe awareoftheresponsibilitiesinvolved;

• disruptivepupilsbeingaskedtostayoutofschoolforparticularreasonse.g.forthedurationofanESTYNinspection;and

• pupilsplacedonstudyleaveforperiodsoftimelongerthanrecommendedinguidance.

Ways that the EWS can identify unlawful exclusions

352.Theveryfactthatunlawfulexclusionsarenotrecordedmeansthatitcanbeextremelydifficulttoidentifyinstancesofthispractice.However,thefollowingmethodscouldbeusedtoidentifyunlawfulexclusions:

• Formal lines of communication establishedwithotheragenciesandthevoluntarysectortoensuresharingofinformationaboutchildrenoutofschool.

• Analysis of individual school dataandfollow-upofworryingpatternsmayincludeLAsmonitoringpatternssuchasnumbersofpupilsoutsideusualagefortransferlookingforotherschools,orgapsinadmissionsdatabetweendateswhenpupilsleaveoneschoolandapplyforanother.Inaddition,LAsshouldhaveprotocolsinplacetoallowrobustfollowupofpupilstakenoffroll,especiallywherepupilshavenoschooloralternativeprovisionplace.

• Close working between the Education Welfare Service and schoolsshouldincludeperiodicdetailedregisterchecksofschools,matchingpupilstoticksonregisterandinvestigatingreasonsforauthorisedabsences,educationoff-siteorotherformsofapprovededucationactivity.TheLAcanalsoutilisesoftwarethatallowscentralaccess toregistersinordertoscrutinisepatternsandfollowup.Inaddition

82

EWSshouldfollowupinformalintelligence(fromparents,pupils,homevisits,etc.)about pupilsoutofschool.

• Providing an opportunity for the public to inform the LA of possible instances of unofficial exclusion.Thiscouldincludeencouragingparentstoreportinstancesof unlawfulexclusiontotheLA.

• Truancy sweepsmayidentifypupilswhohavebeenunlawfullyexcludedanddetailsof thepupilwillbepassedtotheLA.

Next Steps

353.Ifapupilisexcludedunlawfullytheyareunlikelytohaveeducationalprovisionmadeforthem.Thefollowingpoliciesandpracticesmaybeusedtotackleunlawfulexclusionswheretheyareidentified:

• trainingforschoolgovernorsandmanagers,andEWOmeetingswithallschoolsto remindthemoftheirobligations

• lettertorelevantschool(s)fromSeniorEducationOfficerremindingheadteachersof theirlegalobligations

• formalfeedbacktoallschoolsinaLAonfindingsfromdataorregisterchecks

• headteacherstochallenge/supporttheirpeers

• follow-upvisitstorelevantschool(s)accompaniedbyanactionplan.

354.FurtherguidanceonmanagingexclusionsisavailableinExclusionfromSchoolsandPupil ReferralUnits,WAGCircular001/2004.

TheExclusionRegulations,SI2002/3178,canbefoundat:http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2002/20023178.htm

p. Confidentiality / Complaints355.TheEWSiscommittedtorespectingtheconfidentialityofserviceusers.Serviceusers

havetherighttodecidewhatinformationtheywishtosharewiththeteamandnopersonaldetailsofserviceusersshouldbedivulgedtooutsideagencieswithouttheirpriorpermission,exceptinsomecircumstances.Theconfidentialityofserviceuserswillonlybebreachedifanyinformationreceivedbytheteamgivesriseforconcernforthesafetyorwell-beingofaperson.Thelimitationsshouldbemadeclearbyallteammembersatfirstpointofcontactwithregardstoharmtoselforothers.

356.Allstaffshouldbeawareof,andagreeandadheretotheconfidentialitypolicyoftheirlocalauthorityandbetrainedtomaintainconfidentialityandprovideanimpartialserviceinaccordancewiththeDataProtectionAct1998.

AnexemplarflowchartforprocedurescanbefoundinSection2.