Education and learning - Rights and responsibilities - Behaviour and attendance: your responsibilities:
Parenting contracts
From 27 February 2003, local authorities (LAs) and schools have new powers to make formal agreements (parenting contracts) with parents to address their children's behaviour and attendance at school.
What is a parenting contract?
- A parenting contract is a two-sided formal agreement between a parent and
either the local authority or the governing
body of a school.
- It is a voluntary arrangement. Neither the parents nor the LA or school can
be forced to make this sort of agreement. However, if the LA later
prosecute a parent for truancy or apply for a Parenting Order following a
permanent exclusion, they will use any evidence of a parent's refusal to
make this sort of agreement or failure to keep to its terms in those
proceedings.
- Parenting contracts are intended to provide parents with the support they
need and to encourage a positive joint working relationship between school, LA
and parents to tackle truancy or poor behaviour in school and any underlying
causes.
- Under the contract, the parent agrees to comply with specified
requirements, e.g. to ensure that the child attends school regularly and
punctually over a specified time period.
- LA/governing body agrees to provide specified support (tailored to the parents needs) to enable the parent to comply, e.g. help with transporting child to school.
When can a contract be offered?
- Can be offered in cases of truancy or when pupil is excluded from school (whether for a fixed term or permanently).
Why has it been introduced?
- Recognition that parents need support and that some parents may need
individualised support from the school or LA.
- Helps parents build a productive relationship with the school/LA and access the support they need.
Guidance
on Penalty Notices, Parenting Contracts and Parenting
Orders
