This guidance relates to parenting contracts and orders, and only covers those arising from truancy and exclusion from school. Separate guidance on parenting orders and contracts arising from criminal conduct and/or anti-social behaviour has been published by the Home Office.

Although the guidance does not have the force of statute, there is an expectation that it will be followed unless there is good reason to depart from it. The guidance is not exhaustive and judgements will need to take account of the circumstances of individual cases.

Part 1 highlights overarching considerations which practitioners should take into account when using any of the provisions covered in the guidance

Part 2 outlines the law relating to school attendance and where parenting contracts and penalty notices for parents of truants will fit in relation to other school attendance measures. Parenting contracts and penalty notices are by no means intended to replace any other existing measures but to provide alternatives options for tackling truancy

Part 3 includes a good practice section entitled ‘Resolving school attendance problems’. This will be helpful to LEAs and schools, but they are not under a statutory duty to have regard to it.

Part 4 explains how the provisions available in cases of exclusion from school, namely parenting contracts and orders, fit in with other measures for tackling poor behaviour in school. Again, parenting contracts and parenting orders are not intended to replace existing practice but to provide additional options for improving the pupil’s behaviour.

Part 5 explains the method for entering into parenting contracts and common considerations which should be taken into account in respect of parenting contracts in cases of exclusion from school or truancy.