Every child of compulsory school age has the right to a suitable full-time education. Parents and carers play a vital role in ensuring that children attend school regularly and benefit from the opportunities education provides.
The law places a responsibility on parents to make sure their child receives an education, either through regular attendance at school or through alternative arrangements such as elective home education where appropriate. The Department for Education’s statutory guidance makes clear that regular attendance is essential to a child’s learning, wellbeing and future outcomes.
What Are My Responsibilities as a Parent or Carer?
Under Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, parents are responsible for ensuring that their child receives an efficient full-time education suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have.
For most families, this means ensuring that their child:
- Attends school every day it is open.
- Arrives at school on time and ready to learn.
- Attends regularly unless there is a valid reason for absence.
- Returns to school promptly following illness or other authorised absence.
Parents are also expected to:
- Notify the school as soon as possible if their child is unexpectedly absent.
- Work in partnership with the school to address any attendance concerns.
- Engage with support offered to help remove barriers to attendance.
- Seek support early if attendance becomes difficult.
When Can a Child Be Absent from School?
Children should attend school every day unless there is a valid reason for absence.
Common examples include:
- Illness that prevents a child from attending school.
- A leave of absence authorised by the headteacher in exceptional circumstances.
- Religious observance.
- Other specific circumstances recognised by attendance legislation and guidance.
If your child is unable to attend school, you should contact the school as early as possible and explain the reason for their absence.
How Schools and the Local Authority Support Attendance
Schools and the Attendance Support Team recognise that attendance difficulties can arise for many reasons. Where concerns emerge, schools will seek to work with children, parents and other professionals to understand the barriers affecting attendance and provide appropriate support.
The focus is always on early intervention, partnership working and helping children attend regularly wherever possible. This approach is reflected in the Department for Education’s attendance guidance, which promotes a support-first approach to improving attendance.
When Attendance Concerns Continue
Where attendance does not improve despite support and intervention, schools and the Local Authority may consider more formal attendance measures.
Any decision to use formal or legal interventions will be based on the individual circumstances of the child and family and will usually follow attempts to provide support and assistance.
Attendance Support and Legal Interventions
Further information about the attendance support and legal interventions available can be found below:
Notices to Improve (NTIs)
A formal notice that identifies attendance concerns, outlines support available and provides an opportunity to improve attendance before further action is considered.
Attendance Contracts
A formal agreement that helps schools, parents and the Local Authority work together to improve attendance.
Penalty Notices
A financial penalty that may be issued where the threshold for unauthorised absence has been met.
Attendance Prosecution
Legal proceedings that may be considered where attendance concerns persist despite support and intervention.
Education Supervision Orders (ESOs)
A court order placing a child under the supervision of the Local Authority to help secure their education.
→ Education Supervision Orders
Parenting Orders
A court order that may require parents to engage with support programmes and services aimed at improving their child’s attendance.
Need Advice or Support?
If you are worried about your child’s attendance, speak to your child’s school as soon as possible. Schools and the Attendance Support Team are committed to working with families to understand barriers to attendance and provide support at the earliest opportunity. Early help is often the most effective way to prevent attendance concerns from becoming more significant issues.