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Truancy

  1. Teens and Truancy

    Is your teen reluctant to go to school or lacking in motivation?

    Watch agony aunt Suzie Hayman discuss how you can help support and encourage your teen in their education, and what the school can do to help you.

    When your child is in trouble at school or truanting, you may feel desperate, with no idea what to do. As a parent you have a legal responsibility to make sure your child attends school regularly but this doesn’t mean it is always easy to do this, even though it could make a real difference to your child’s future....

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  2. Truancy: problems in school

    Mother and son

    If you’re aware that your child has had problems at school, this could be an opportunity for you, your child and the school to tackle them together. Questions you could ask include:

    • Has she or he been in trouble with the teachers?
    • Is this because of not doing school work or homework or because of an ‘attitude’ or disruptive behaviour?
    • Is there a problem with one teacher in particular?

    Talk things through with your child and ask what help they think they might need. Other possible problems include the following:

    • Stress - Many young people feel under a lot of pressure; school work, exams and other people’s expectations affect how children feel. They are also going through the pressures of growing up, which...
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  3. Truancy: what to do

    When you discover your child’s not been going to school, you can experience many different feelings. You may feel shocked, worried or unsure what might happen. Read on for help…

    What do I do next?

    Receiving a letter or telephone message from the school can be very upsetting, and having to deal with the school authorities can be difficult and confusing. When parents find out that their children have not been attending school, they should not get angry or punish the child, but instead try to talk to their child about how they are feeling. There may be valid reasons why your child has not wanted to go to school. She or he may be having problems which they need help with. Talk with your child and try to find out what the problem is. It is important to respond to any letters...

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  4. What might happen if your child continues to truant?

    Mother and son

    If your child continues to truant and/or behave disruptively, the school may ask you to sign up to a Parenting Contract. This is a voluntary agreement between you and the local education authority or the school’s governing body.

    The contract will mean that you are given practical help and support to make sure your child attends school or improve their behaviour. In the case of regular truanting or exclusion you may be served with a Parenting Order. This is a court order which will insist you attend a parenting programme and comply with orders about your child’s attendance or behaviour.

    This support is designed to help you tackle your child’s behaviour and to gain the skills and confidence to make a real difference. The courts may also impose an Education Supervision Order...

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