A national Framework for penalty Notices for school absence, including unauthorised holiday absence, is being introduced following changes to the law. These new government regulations will come into effect from 19th August 2024
Earlier this week, families will have received an important update letter from Plymouth City Council with an update regarding changes to the penalty notice code of conduct for school absence.
What are these changes?
1. There will be a new national threshold of 10 unauthorised sessions for any reason (equivalent to 5 school days) within a rolling 10 school week period for when a penalty notice must be considered.
2. The new rules mean you will no longer be able to take your child out of school for one week’s holiday without a penalty notice being issued.
3. There will be an increase in the penalty fine from £60 to £80 if paid in 21 days. If the fine is not paid by the first 21 days, it will rise to £160 if paid within 28 days of being issued.
4. If a second penalty fine is issued to the same parent for the same child within a 3-year rolling period, the fine will automatically rise to £160 with no option to pay the lower rate of £80.
5. If a parent then commits a third offence in a 3-year rolling period, the local authority will need to consider other enforcement options available to them.
For more information please contact the Inclusion Attendance and Welfare Team on 01752 307405 between 3pm and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
The full letter from the LA can be found
here
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