Parents fined for children's truancy

Rochdale Magistrates Court has fined thirty-five parents for letting their children miss school.

The parents received fines of between £50 and £1000 at Magistrates Court hearings in recent weeks after being prosecuted by Rochdale Borough Council for failing to pay penalties. Some parents were issued with Conditional Discharges, and two parents were issued with Parenting Orders and will be expected to attend parenting classes organised by Rochdale Borough Council.

Before they were taken to court, parents had already been sent warning letters and penalty notices to give them the opportunity to improve their children's school attendance and avoid prosecution.

Rochdale Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Councillor Irene Davidson said:
"Children who miss school regularly quickly fall behind and in the long term do not achieve their full potential. Research shows that poor attendance can also lead to children becoming victims of crime or turning to crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We do not want to take this type of action but we are serious about truancy. We try to be firm but fair by offering advice and support to schools and families as much as we can but, where necessary, we will take legal action. The parents we take to court are capable of ensuring their children are at school, but are unwilling to take responsibility for getting them back in the classroom."

From May 2007, Rochdale Borough Council targeted 250 parents across the borough whose children had a poor attendance record. Of these

• 147 were living in Rochdale
• 62 were living in Middleton 
• 41 were living in Heywood     

Over half of these parents improved their child's attendance after receiving an initial warning letter.