§ Lord Northbourneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the statutory or other basis for the statement in paragraph 3.38 of their White Paper, Schools Achieving Success,that "Parents are responsible for establishing good behaviour at home, for getting their children to school and for supporting schools and teachers in setting standards for good behaviour at school"; and whether they are confident that all parents, including non-residential fathers, are aware of and accept these responsibilities. [HL756]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Most parents take seriously their responsibilities towards their children. We brought in home-school agreements through the 1998 School Standards and Framework Act to ensure that all parents understood and accepted their responsibilities in relation to their children's education. All schools are required to set up home school agreements, in consultation with parents, which should make clear in non-legal terms what home and school's role and responsibilities in the education of children should be. An agreement can cover aspects like ensuring a child attends school and supporting the school in maintaining good behaviour and discipline. A school should encourage all parents (including non-resident parents) to sign this once it is agreed so they know where they stand.
Reinforcing parental responsibility is something we have also taken action on, through introducing parenting orders. The parenting order (Section 8 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998) forms part of the drive 73WA to provide parents with increased support and to assist them in developing better parenting skills. It is not intended to punish parents but to reinforce parental responsibility. It aims to help and support parents in controlling the behaviour of their children. Parents attending counselling sessions receive assistance in improving their parenting skills and learn how to enforce consistent standards of behaviour or respond more effectively to challenging adolescent demands. They can also be required to ensure, for example, that their child goes to school every day or is home by a certain time at night.
Parents have a legal duty to secure suitable full-time education for their children of compulsory school age, either by registering them at a school or by making other arrangements. If a child fails to attend their school regularly, their parents are guilty of an offence and could be liable to a fine. The courts may also impose a parenting order.