Education welfare service
For schools ONLY
The Education Welfare Service (EWS) is responsible for attendance audits in schools. All schools in North East Lincolnshire send termly attendance reports to the EWS so absence levels can be monitored.
School attendance
You must make sure your child gets a full-time education either at school or by educating at home yourself. Colleges, Universities and employers want to recruit people who are reliable, and children with a poor attendance record are less likely to secure further education and employment.
If a child’s attendance becomes a concern, the school will contact their Education Welfare Officer and request action is taken. The Education Welfare Service is here to support parents, but if your child’s attendance doesn’t improve, enforcement action may be taken which could result in prosecution. The Education Welfare Officers also carry out truancy patrols with Humberside Police.
Notice to Improve letter template (Word, 28KB) – Schools only
Part-time timetables
We are committed to every child and young person in North East Lincolnshire having a full and inclusive education. Sometimes, in very exceptional circumstances, a part-time timetable may be used for a short period of help meet a pupils individual needs.
Our policy explains:
- When a part-time timetable can be considered
- How it will be put in place and reviewed
- Who is responsible for making sure it is used properly
Any part-time timetable will have clear goals and will be checked regularly to make sure it is helping your child.
View the Part-time timetable guidance for schools and academies (Word, KB)
If you need advice or support, please contact the Education Welfare Team 01472 326291.
Fixed penalty notice
Fixed penalty notices are requested by schools for:
- low school attendance
- term time holidays
- being in a public place during school hours when excluded from school
Fixed penalty notices issued from August 2024 is £80 if paid within 21 days. It will rise to £160 if paid between 21 and 28 days.
Request an Education Welfare penalty notice – Schools Only
Fines for missing school
August 2024
All schools are now required to consider requesting a fine when a child has missed 10 sessions* (5 days) or more of school for unauthorised reasons. Please note that even a lesser period of unauthorised absence may amount to a penalty notice on a case by case basis.
Penalty notice fines will be issued to each parent (including step parents), for each child who is absent from school without permission or good reason.
Inset days (teacher training days) are not school days and cannot be included in the 5 or more consecutive days.
*The school day is split into two sessions – one session counts as a morning or afternoon spent in school.
First offence
The first time a penalty notice is issued for term time leave or low attendance will be:
£80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days
£160 per parent per child when paid within 28 days
Second offence
(within a 3 year period)
£160 per parent per child to be paid within 28 days
Third offence
( further offences within a 3 year period)
The 3rd time a penalty notice is issued the case will be presented straight to the Magistrates Court. Fines of up to £2500 per parent per child can be issued.
Cases found guilty in Magistrates Court can show up on parents future DBS certificates as a failure to safeguard a child’s education.
5 consecutive days of term time leave
Fines will be issued for term time leave of 5 or more consecutive days.
Inset days (teacher training days) are not school days and cannot be included in the 5 or more consecutive days.
10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10 – week period
Fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of unauthorised absence in a 10-week period. This can go over school holidays.
Contact details
Education Welfare Service, New Oxford House, 2 George Street, Grimsby, DN31 1HB
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01472 326291
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, except bank holidays
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