With the introduction of the new National Framework for Penalty Notices, there have been changes that will come in to force for Penalty Notice fines for unauthorised absence that occurs after 19 August 2024. Below are the latest guidelines from Leicester City Council.
Penalty Notice fines will be issued to each parent, for each child who was absent.
For example: 3 siblings absent for term time leave will result in each parent receiving 3 separate fines.
Penalty Notice fines will be issued for term time leave of 5 or more consecutive days and for fewer days where this has happened before.
Penalty Notice fines will be considered when there have been 10 sessions of absence in a 10-week period.
The first time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. This is reduced to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 28 days.
The second time a Penalty Notice is issued for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance the amount will be: £160 per parent, per child when paid within 28 days. There is no option to pay at £80 level.
The third time an offence is committed for Term Time Leave or irregular attendance a Penalty Notice will not be issued. The case will proceed to the Magistrates’ court. Magistrate’s fines can be up to £2,500 per parent, per child.
Cases found guilty in Magistrates’ Court can show on the parent’s future DBS certificate and may impact on job applications and travel abroad.
Penalty Notices will not automatically be issued. Parents are advised that where the LA considers that a Penalty Notice is not appropriate due to the level of concern about a child’s absence, prosecution action may be taken.
By law, all Penalty Notice payments go to the local authority and not to schools.
