Heavy fines for parents of truanting children

In Manchester's continuing efforts to reduce truanting, 70 parents have been issued with heavy fines for failing to make sure their children attended school, according to figures just released.

They were among 126 parents prosecuted between September last year to the present date. Ten more cases are awaiting sentence. The fines range from £100 to £500.

A further one hundred and forty parents received penalty notices, with a fine of £50 payable within 28 days, rising to £100 within 42 days.

Forty-two other parents among the 126 received conditional discharges, a court decision where there is no punishment immediately but where a breach within a time period can trigger a penalty for the original offence.

Four parents received a community penalty, ranging from curfew orders, 40 hours' unpaid work, 60 hours' unpaid work and an 18-month supervision order.

There were also 10 parenting orders, where a parent has to attend parenting sessions for a minimum of three months to improve their child's attendance. These orders contain specific requirements - such as regular school attendance - covering a 12-month period. Breaches can result in further court action and possible fines.

Eleven warrants are still outstanding for parents' court appearances in connection with truanting. The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "These figures really show the worst cases but it also demonstrates that we are determined to crack down on truanting.

It is a parent's ultimate responsibility to make sure their child attends school because it is obvious that this is in the child's long-term interests. Do not doubt that we will consider court action against any parent who ignores our warnings about their truanting child."

Media contacts:

Dave Hulme, tel: 0161 234 4610

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179