This document is aimed at local education authorities, schools, magistrates, justice clerks and other organisations that might be involved in ensuring, through enforcement measures, children’s regular attendance at school.

The document explains: the roles and responsibilities of parents, schools and the LAs in ensuring attendance; the law relating to school attendance, including particular reference to Section 7 of the Education Act 1996, which states that the parent is responsible for making sure their child receives full-time education that is suitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude and any special needs the child may have; the range of strategies available to the LA, including school attendance orders; the procedure for bringing a prosecution against a parent who has failed to ensure attendance of their child; the court hearing procedure and the sentencing options available to the court if the parent is found guilty.

The document draws upon the existing guidance from the Department for Education and Skills, and includes references to other related documents, details of which can be found on the DCSF school attendance website by following the link below.

This publication has been superseded by 'Ensuring Children's Right to Education - guidance on the legal measures available to secure regular school attendance' (DFES-00529-2007).

School attendance area of DCSF