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Truancy

Answer

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 2 November 2005, Official Report, column 1216W to a question from the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell) and on 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 623W to a question from the hon. Members for Buckingham (John Bercow) and Romford.In September 2005, I announced a drive against ‘serial truants' in 146 secondary schools which account for one in five of all instances of unauthorised authorised absence across the country. This drive will provide an intensive package of support and challenge to truants and their families. We have now extended this drive to cover 200 secondary schools and an estimated 13,000 pupils.Key workers in the 200 schools and their local authorities will draw up an individual action plan and work with each truant to improve their school attendance. Where appropriate, truants and their families will be given co-ordinated support from children's services to tackle wider issues such as drugs, mental health or parenting skills that might be contributing to their truancy. Key workers will also consider referring parents of the most persistent truants onto the ‘Fast Track to Attendance' scheme and, unless the youngster's attendance improves over a 12 week period, the parents will face a penalty notice or prosecution.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

35513; 440 c1344W;440 c1344W

Session

2005-06

Related items

Truancy
Wednesday, 2 November 2005
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Truancy
Monday, 13 February 2006
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Subjects

Counselling Truancy

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk