Dealing with truancy
There are many reasons why your child may play truant including:- bullying
- fear of failure
- finding the work difficult
- boredom
- pressure from friends
- family problems
As a parent you have legal responsibility for making sure your child attends school regularly.
The School Attendance Service can offer you help and support if your child is bunking off. You can contact the team on 0151 443 3212 for further details.
Signs of truancy
If you suspect your child isn’t at school, the following signs may confirm your suspicions:
- Questions about your plans or where you are going to be.
- A keen interest in getting to the post first.
- Talking about daytime TV programmes.
- Friends who are often absent from school.
- Frequently feeling ill.
Genuine absence
If your child is genuinely poorly or there is good reason for their absence, it’s important that you contact the school to let them know so that it isn’t mistaken for truancy.
Unacceptable reasons for absence include:
- shopping
- birthday treats
- looking after others at home
- non-urgent medical or dental appointments
Remember, the longer a child is away from school the harder it is for them to go back and the more likely it is that they will fall behind with their work. This can also jeopardise their future.
As a parent, you should do everything you can to make sure your child attends school.