PARENTS in North East Lincolnshire are being warned to ensure their children attend school – or pay the penalty.
The council's Cabinet has agreed to allow officers to issue fixed-penalty notices to parents or carers of children who regularly skip school.
The fines are intended as a deterrent and can be followed by prosecution through the courts if they are n
ot paid.
Persistent unauthorised absences will lead to an initial fine of £50, rising to £100 if not paid within 28 days.
Failure to pay the latter fine within 42 days may result in prosecution.
Andy Samson, director of children's services, said: "School attendance levels in North East Lincolnshire have been steadily improving. However, like many other areas of the country, a level of unauthorised absence both in our primary and secondary schools remains a significant problem.
"Unauthorised absence may include taking holiday not authorised by school during term time. Parents must recognise the impact of school days lost on their child's education and the message it sends to their child about the value of education.
"The impact of low school attendance can be extremely damaging to a pupil's future life chances. Evidence shows that truants are more likely to become involved in anti-social behaviour or crime either as perpetrators or victims."
He said a significant majority of youth offenders had been poor school attenders and had difficulties with basic skills such as reading and writing.
He added: "Where parents work co-operatively with our services and need our help, we will support them. We will only use these new powers, along with continuing to prosecute in court, in cases where we find that parents can, but do not, ensure their child's attendance."
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