Attendance and truancy

Parents are responsible for ensuring their children attend school.

We are responsible for school attendance and for elective home education.

We have an education welfare officer linked to each school and we receive referrals from schools when their is a concern about a child's attendance.

Please be aware that parents may be issued with a Penalty Notice if their child has unauthorised absence from school. Parents also face prosecution in the Magistrates' Court; a fine of up to £2,500 or a community penalty could be imposed together with a Parenting Order. A criminal record will then exist for the parent. You can download the Penalty Notice Code of Conduct, and the council’s Enforcement Policy which are available at the bottom of the page.

If you are concerned about your child’s school attendance it is always best to talk to the school first. If you feel unable to do this or would like further help, you can call us on 0116 454 5510 during office hours.

If your child is not in school

• they may be absent without your knowledge
• they may be at risk
• they are missing out on their education
• they miss more than half a year of their education if they miss two weeks of school every year 
• you may be fined £80, £160, or prosecuted in court with fines of up to £2,500 and imprisonment is also an option open to the court
• You may be given a parenting order by the court requiring your attendance at counselling/guidance sessions.

Pupils with good attendance

• achieve better
• feel happier
• gain confidence
• find it easier to make and keep friends
• have better prospects of employment and training.

Contact us

Write to us: Education Welfare, C/O Leicester city Council Post Room, LE1 6RN
Ring us on: 0116 454 5510
Send us a message