Should the government decriminalize school truancy?

Yes, because there are many reasons that students cannot attend school and we should be helping them rather than punishing them.

There are various reasons as to why children truant from school; whether it is bullying, health issues, struggling with schoolwork, more help and resources should be provided to look into why children truant.

Yes, make it so that there is a week allowance for kids to have off every academic year for parents to take them out of school for holidays, as holidays at peak times are too expensive for parents.

Persistent absences should be identified, individual circumstances hsould be better considered and the families involved supported.

Yes but families need support. The majority of families where truancy is an issue face socioeconomic barriers. To further fine these families is fruitless. Give then support

I think it should be decriminalised and more care should be taken by the school to investigate the reasons why students are truant. A lot of times students skip school as a result of external factors in their life and schools should try to help a student in learning how to deal with these things or assist with them

Yes, parents in the lowest socio-economic groups are the ones getting fined. It just created hardship and more stress.
Back in the day, kids were put in care for non-commercial school attendance, and I know cos I was one of those kids. I had to go to court at ten, and was out in care in an interim care order for 4wks, then allowed home, it happened again and I think they made it 8wks. After that it was a full care order until 18 ( actually 16 as I had the care order rescinded when I left school). Looking back all the kids who were in care and were there for truancy, all had dodgy backgrounds and much more happening at home with their family . Care made sure they had a stable home and an educations. I think getting rid of kids homes was a colossal mistake!...

No, but encourage and enable students who are not suited to schools to start other educational programmes, such as apprenticeships, from a younger age

No, but social services should contact the parents rather than the police and parents shouldn’t face jail time unless they are abusing their child.

I think consequences should be given to child if parents arent to blame and more done to establish why the child is playing truant.

It should depend on the circumstances, parents can make all reasonable endeavours to get their child to school but the child still truants. If parents work with the school and other agencies, they should not be penalised

Depends on why the kid is off as fining parents for taking kids on holiday at more affordable time is wrong

Currently women are disproportionately sentenced under current legislation, fathers need to be equally responsible

Reasons why they're not attending schools need to be investigated more - bullying mental health autism may play a role as to their absence

No, more exceptions for those with disabilities, medical related leave, young carer responsibilities etc.

School isn't for everyone.
Maybe they'd be better educated in mountaineering, search and rescue, military, tradesmen. List goes on. All core subjects are fundamental but bring more of college subjects into secondary years. You'll find you have a lot less wayward young people.

There are things to consider such as school avoidance issues, bullying etc. parents shouldn't be penalised for holidays but parents who can't be bothered to ensure kids are attending school should face penalties

Truancy yes but allowing 5school days for family time/holidays without a fine. Or reducing the fine to set per day per family not per parent.

Should be decided on a case by case basis ~ some parents have no control over their children, no matter how hard they try whilst others are too lazy to parent properly!

Yes, support should be put in place to overcome barriers instead. Remove fines for holidays during term time.

No but increasing the fees will reduce truancy because at present parents will happily pay the fee as it is less than the summer holiday bill

No but you should be allowed. To take children out of school for a number for holidays, family event etc.

Yes, but not in all cases. There would need to be a well though out list of reasons which would excuse being absent from schools. The cases where pupils chose not to attend with no medical/legal/mental reason should be scrutinised

It should be based on merit. Forcing people to only have out of term leave means people can afford it which leads to children not experiencing other cultures.

There are sometimes mitigating circumstances, these should be taken into account. However for frequent truant children yes

One School holiday a year should be approved for pupils with 96% attendance. Persistent absence should be fined.

Yes, but alternative and rehabilitative methods focused on the wellbeing and development of the student must be taken.

No. But there should be a better system to authorize those who do need to be absent from compulsory education to do so with greater accessibility.

No, however, each case should be independently reviewed and fines should only be reserved for parents who fail to send their kids to school rather than pupils choosing to truant

It’s complex school is in portent but so is family time and missing 5 days once a year isn’t the end of the world

No, but the parent with full custody should be the ones to pay a fine if their child is persistently truant without reason

Yes, there should be a distinction between taking a week off once a year and then persistent lateness and absences

yes and they should focus on rehabilitating those who are truant, unless they have committed an irredeemable violent crime, otherwise they should be taken to prison.

I think there needs to be more information on why regular truancy is happening Not just penalties for parents on holidays when it’s cheaper due to term time.

Yes, and investigation into why the child is truant, is school not right for them, would they be better learning more hands on skills.

Yes, and more funding and training needs to be given to social workers to identify the root causes of truancy and support children and families to prioritise education

This really should be considered on a case by case basis as there may be circumstances that prevent regular attendance

Only for pleasure truency, career based or home life based truecy should be investigated and families should be supported

There should not be an automatic 3 month sentence for parents as each case is individual and can be complex.

No but we need clarity on truancy, fining parents when children have a high attendance for holidays when it saves them significant sums and travel can be educational is not appropriate.

School truancy should be seen as an indicator that a child and their family needs further specialised support.

Reasons can differ greatly. More should be done to help those struggling. The need for both parents to be in full-time work has added to a breakdown in family values in my opinion

Yes, but only where valid extra curriculum activities are being carried out - including cultural family holidays.

It should be reviewed as some children are punished for being ill and the parents get the blame for keeping children off school...teachers don't get punished for poor attendance.

No as it could be the parents fault, sanctions for students but dig deep into why (bullying/mental health ... provide support for students than label them...)

No, we need to understand the reasons for truancy and offer an education system that fits all learning needs

Yes, it’s school not a prison how is absence illegal, and punishing parents with jail time is absurd.

Yes. Parents should be supported to ensure their children attend and children supported in their education.

It's shouldn't be criminalised, kids are bullied and don't want to go to school, as the school doesn't help the victims, and lets it happen

More alternative provision should be available for students struggling in mainstream instead of punishing

Yes, depending on the circumstances. Families should be able to go on holiday at any time of year to save money. If it amounts to more than 3 separate periods of prolonged absence then there should be repercussions.

This needs careful consideration. I work in a school and many non attendees are of students with SEN with unmet need. They cannot cope with the fast pace of mainstream and develop mental health issues this is stressful enough for families without the threat of fines. This should be carefully managed.

Unless stated with important excuses and is supported by the school i.e. online learning, then it should be a concern

Look at cases individually rather than one size fits all. Give schools more individual power to look at individual cases

Some childrens' mental health is not being addressed, bullying and truancy are usually wrapped up under this - the needs of the child should be met first NOT the criminalisation for students or parents.

Parents should able to take children on holiday in term time. Some jobs don’t allow school holidays all of the time

No, but introduce more structured support for families dealing with disabilities, emotionally-related school refusal and similar issues.

Yes, focus on making schools a safe, beneficial and enjoyable place to be instead of punishing parents for their children not wanting to attend a place that they hate

No, but deterents are needed. Parents should not be imprisoned for their child truanting if they aren't also imprisoned for other crimes committed by children.

a child's previous attendance and track record should be taken into account when dealing with 'unauthroised absences'

Yes, but those that who are found to be repeat offender should be placed into boarding schools. They should also have access to more supportive teaching assistance to find the root causes of their truancy.

No, but holidays should be allowed during term time within reason. Travelling and family time is important for children’s development

Yes for parents who are restricting their child from accessing vital education. Students should be able to study at home or abroad, with proof they are meeting the national curriculum. This includes the occasional holiday being permitted as work can be taken.

Parents shouldn't have big fines/jail as some kids won't go it should be the kid that has some form of punishment if repeated alot but say for a holiday not at all it's the only time some parents can afford

No, there should however be more support in place for children who struggle with school and the parents instead of criminalising those legitimate ones

Stop allowing travel, holiday and airline companies from raising prices during school holiday periods. This would lead do parents not choosing to take their children out of school during term time.

There should be an amount of time per year children can legally absent for such as for family holidays during school time providing their absence is good for the remainder of the year

The holiday in school terms truancy should be dismissed if not too often but truancy is an issue and should be tested on means by basis

School holidays should be changed to reflect working life where 6 weeks away from education/work is not realistic. Children no longer help with the harvest therefore 6weeks of leave is a waste. Divide the school year better.

No, however there needs to be different routes for children who are not in the position to go to school such as online schooling should be made more available

Yes, They should be prevented but at no risk of parents being fined or risking the childs access of education

Yes, if a child normally has 100% attendance they should be allowed to two weeks off school for a family holiday. Also each child should be looked at individually, is it the child who doesn't want to be at school or the parent who can't be bother to send their child in/or deliberately keeps them off of school

If a child is in less than 80% a year and are falling behind on work then parents should be held accountable for it.

The parents should not be punished if the child is doing it under the nose of the parents, making the unaware of their child's actions

No, but I think the regulations and punishments should be reviewed. Kids won't go to school if they don't 'have' to, so the threat of punishment is for their own good. However imprisoning a parent because the child is truant seems backwards. They need more support, not less.

I think it’s important to analyse cases individually and examine the reasons for these absences before criminalising parents for them.

Children should be allowed up to 2 weeks holiday throughout the year based on attendance. Parents shouldn't have to face a fine for taking their child on holiday which is just as important at school.

Yes. Parents need to have autonomy over their own kids. The government shouldn’t be ‘policing’ parents. However, there needs to be more support for children who are deemed ‘at risk’ or ‘neglected’

Yes, the government should implement policies which include invisible disabilities and domestically precarious situations.

Truancy should be looked at on an individual basis and addressed with family support or pupil support

Instill parental fines or forced volunteering for the truants. Imprisonment is a waste of police nd government resources on something minor that isn't imposing harm on anyone. If a child is persistently absent, it is an indication of another issue which can be hanlded with therapy and volunteer work. If they don't want to learn in a class they can learn while working.

Repeat truancy should be addressed but sometimes genuine people are penalised wrongly. I think students should have a 1 week holiday per school year authorised that is in term time to help low income families that can't afford a holiday at any other time.

Yes, only in the interim of a good reason child is not attending school and until treatment/support for that is offered

It should be addressed as to why a child is truant. Are there issues at home? Is it affecting their education? How would we decide when it becomes punishable?

There could be a number of reasons why, which should be look into per case and appropriate action should be taken with the child welfare been the priority.

There are many children who refuse school because of overwhelming anxiety, autism, bullying etc. it is wrong that parents are criminalised when dealing wit( a child that refuses school due to this.

No but there should be either more flexibility for reasons that children may be taken out of school during term time OR regulation of companies who over charge for holidays in school breaks.

No, but parents should not be punished for taking their children out of school for up to 1 week if the child is in year 9 or below.

Yes, but the student in question should be offered mental counselling to confirm they are healthy and safe.

If schools were more accessible to all children then they would attend more and there would be less truancy

There should be more support for parents with SEND children who are school refusers due to the broken system not making these children feel safe at school

Truancy in itself yes but the reasons for the truancy must first be considered. MH issues should not be classed as truancy.

Yes, however encourage a support system for truant students to help them be okay with attending school

Students should be allowed time off school is it is needed eg sick or allowed some days of for holidays etc but the government should aim to keep everyone’s attendance around 85%

No, but more nuance needed, why are kids truanting? Don't think families should be fined for taking their kids a day or two out of school for family holidays either

Yes, student/families should be allowed 2 weeks (10 school days) so they can go on lower costing holidays.