Penalty Notices
Where it is believed that an offence is being committed relating to school attendance then a fixed penalty can be issues rather than commence criminal proceedings. Payment of the fixed penalty would be an alternative to proceedings and would not result in a criminal records.
The notice can be issued by either:
- A police officer
- A head teacher
- A deputy or assistant head teacher authorised by the head teacher
- An officer of the local authority authorised to give penalty notices
The penalty is limited to £60 if paid within 21 days, rising to £120 if paid within 28 days.
A Code of Conduct will be in place for each Local Authority to try to ensure consistency.
A penalty notice can also be issued where a child is found in a public place during school hours without reasonable justification during the first 5 days of any period of exclusion.
