Your legal responsibilities as a parent

3 months ago 05th Apr 13:07

By law, all children of school age must receive full-time education and it’s up to you to ensure they get it. If you're having problems because your child is refusing to go to school or is playing truant, you can get help and support from your local education authority.

If you don’t seek help you may be issued with a penalty notice of £50, which rises to £100 if it’s not paid within 28 days. If you don’t pay the penalty fine you'll be prosecuted.

If you're educating your child at home, Directgov has details about your legal responsibilities.

As an alternative to penalty notices, your local authority may prosecute you. You can get a fine up to £2,500, a community order or, in extreme cases, a jail sentence of up to three months.

Courts may also impose a parenting order, which requires you to attend parenting or support classes to help you deal better with the problems you may face.

One in five secondary school pupils admits having been drunk in the previous week and nearly two-thirds say they drink at home, at friends' houses or at parties, according to an NHS survey.

Perhaps surprisingly, children over the age of five are legally allowed to drink alcohol at home. It’s up to you when you think it's appropriate for your child to consume alcohol.

More about Your legal responsibilities as a parent on page 2