Maddie and I wrote to you recently asking you to support The School's Bill "Amendment 81" - an Attendance Code of Practice that would accompany Attendance Guidance and stop Guidance from being used to justify fines and prosecution for families with barriers to attendance. Our families need support.
The amendment was discussed in The House of Lords on 18th July - and received a great deal of support from across all parties - this is unusual and fantastic! Maddie and I watched live, along with many other families. It was heartening to hear Lord Hunt speak of the need for "compassion in education" and highlight the work of parent-supporting organisations such as Square Peg and Not Fine In School.
Unfortunately, Baronness Barran who is bringing the Bill, dismissed the need for an Attendance Code of Practice, and this was her justification:
“We are clear that schools should authorise absence due to both physical and mental illness. Schools should only request parents to provide medical evidence to support absence where they have genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the illness. We are also clear that schools pressuring a parent to remove their child from the school is a form of off-rolling, which is never acceptable.”
And Baroness Barran's comment is exactly why an Attendance Code of Practice is needed - because as too many of us know - this IS happening.
All is not lost on the Code of Practice but action on the Schools Bill is paused while summer recess will begin shortly - but there is an action you can take this week, by the 29th of July.
The Department of Education is consulting on fines and prosecution - this means that they are asking for input on national frameworks on how fines and prosecutions are applied for families with Attendance barriers. The survey questions have been designed for professionals to answer (as they are based on school practices); however, the Department for Education is required to compile, record, and include every response submitted to a Government consultation
Which means that we can email our views and experiences on Attendance fines, prosecution, and off-rolling...
- We suggest writing a summary of your family experiences in relation to school registers / absence authorisation / support for school attendance difficulties / penalties for your child’s non-attendance.
- What might have improved your family’s experience and the outcome for your child/children?
Send your messages to attendance.consultation@education.gov.uk
- why not cc your MP at the same time.
Shall we tell them what's actually happening?
Maddie and Susan
p.s For many it is the school holidays now, but we know that families have recently been experiencing an increase of pressure around attendance, even for authorised absences.
If you're worried about what this will bring in September you can find further help at support at Not Fine In School, please do not worry alone - help is out there.