Parents fined £6.2m as schools are told to crack down on pupil absences
...but sick and disabled kids ‘unfairly treated’ claim campaigners
MORE and more parents are being fined for their children not turning up to lessons – a total of more than £6.2million so far this school year.
But parents of pupils with disabilities or serious illnesses say a recent Government crackdown on unauthorised days off, which will see penalties rise by 33%, is unfair.
Such children have historically had more absences due to health issues, lack of support in school or waiting for a suitable place as well as being subject to higher rates of exclusion.
So far this year 116,652 fines have been issued with £6,265,272 collected, Freedom of Information requests reveal. From September 2022 to last July 296,180 fines led to a total of £13,494,672.
Two mothers who have autistic children accused the Government of “prioritising attendance over the needs of children, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities”.
When Susan Liverman’s son began to struggle, it was a symptom of underlying autism. Susan, 45, said: “He tried so hard to go. We didn’t know it at the time, but he has sensory differences that mean a classroom environment can be overwhelming. Forcing him into school was actually increasing his distress.
“Worrying about being fined when my son’s difficulties would have been made worse by going to school, as it didn’t cater to his needs, caused us more anxiety at a really tough time.”
Maddie Roberts, 41, of Bedfordshire said: “My son Harleigh shouldn’t miss out on being educated because he’s autistic and can’t cope in mainstream school.
“He finally has an ‘education otherwise than at school’ [package] that meets his needs, and he is starting to recover from his autistic breakdown and thrive again.The threat of prosecution is terrifying and does nothing to provide our kids with the support they need to get an education.”
The pair’s petition of more than 270,000 names calls for more local authority funding for alternatives to mainstream education plus the end of the fines. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said in February they would rise by a third.
Penalty notices paid within 21 days go up from £60 to £80. Delayed payments rise by £40 to £160.
Daily registers will be shared online with the Department for Education and local authorities to try to improve school attendance from a post-Covid slump.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said most fines were applied for holidays in term time.
Longer absence was often caused by issues such as mental ill-health.
Mr Barton added: “There is a wider issue about absence relating to the growing number of children who suffer from anxiety, families who are struggling to cope, and disengagement with education, which schools are endeavouring to address by working with families and pupils to improve their attendance rather than using fines.” The DfE said: “Our guidance is based on a support-first ethos ensuring schools work with pupils and families to support each pupil’s individual needs.”
Alison Kerry, the communications head at disability equality charity Scope, warned: “Life costs more if you are disabled.
“These increased fines will make life harder.”