This a difficult update to write.

It's been nearly 3 months since the new Attendance Guidance became effective in England.

Maddie and I started this petition last year because we were concerned about the treatment of SEND and other marginalised families whose children were experiencing attendance difficulties - after our own experience of being threatened with fines or worse.

We heard the government speak of Attendance targets, read the new Guidance, and felt it would result in less help for families, and more punishment. We knew from our own experience that when our children struggled to go to school it was a symptom of an underlying cause. We found out later that experts such as clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Fisher say the same:

Don't confuse Reactions with Reasons. Anxiety and behaviour are reactions that are often talked about as reasons. There's no point in trying to reduce anxiety if you don't change the reasons why someone is anxious. 

Forcing children to go to school isn't therapeutic. If they won't go, find out why.

Unfortunately in the last 3 months, the situation for families has, as expected, worsened due to Attendance Guidance. Parent Carer support groups such as Not Fine In School are seeing unprecedented numbers of new joiners to the group - at a rate of around 500 a week. There are now 33,000 parents or carers in NFIS and the numbers are rising fast.

Parents with children on NHS waiting lists, carers asking for help, and children in distress are being treated in the following ways and more:

• Fine notices
• Notices of court proceedings
• Removal of part-time timetables in the name of Attendance Guidance
• GP medical notes rejected
• Medical evidence requested when not legally required

The problems families face are that:

• Attendance Guidance isn't being interpreted correctly by schools and local authorities
• Parent/carers quoting Attendance Guidance, the Department of Education, and even the law are being ignored by untrained Attendance and Inclusion Officers
• It is then easy/a matter of process for fine notices to be issued
• Parents and carers have no immediate way to protect themselves.
• Legal challenges are long-term, frightening, and expensive.

The situation is having consequences for families who are already vulnerable and yet the Department of Education and Secretary of State for Education take no action, why?

We don't know - and so we have an ask for you in today's update. 

Please can you write or call the Department of Education to let them know what is happening to families in England - and call for them to amend the Guidance? We encourage you to make your MP aware too. We also know that although this Attendance Guidance applies specifically to England - the government's drive for  Attendance is affecting families across the UK - please do contact the Department of Education and share your experiences from across the UK.

Change isn't happening fast enough. And it's not good enough. You can find their contact details below. We especially encourage you to contact them if you have experienced any of the above - we need to let the Department know the impact of this policy.

You can find their contact details below - it's an online form you can fill in, or a number you can reach them on (please check call charges on their website)

Contact The Department of Education

DfE helpline
Telephone: 0370 000 2288
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5pm

If you do receive a response (and you should apparently, within 15 days) and want to let us know - please get in touch with us at:

maddieandsusan.noschoolfines@gmail.com

We hope for more positive news soon

Maddie and Susan x