Parenting Orders

A Parenting Order is a legal measure that a court can issue when a parent is found guilty of failing to ensure their child attends school regularly. It is used to help parents improve their child's attendance and behaviour through structured support and guidance.

What is a Parenting Order?

A Parenting Order requires a parent to:

• attend parenting classes or counselling sessions designed to help them develop strategies to support their child's education
• follow specific instructions from the court aimed at improving the child's school attendance

The order is typically issued after a successful prosecution under the Education Act 1996 (Section 444), where a parent has failed to ensure their child's regular attendance without a valid reason. See the government's 'Legal action to enforce school attendance' webpage.

How it works

The court sets out the terms of the order, which may include attending a parenting programme for up to 3 months.

The parent must comply with all conditions or risk further legal consequences.

The aim is not to punish, but to equip parents with the tools and support they need to help their child attend school regularly.

If you don't comply

Failure to follow the Parenting Order can lead to:

• a fine or further court action
• in some cases, it may contribute to a more serious sentence if attendance does not improve

References

See the government's 'School attendance and absence: Legal action to enforce school attendance' webpage on GOV.UK.