Cumbria County Council’s Education Welfare Service and Cumbria Police are joining forces to encourage school age children to make the maximum use of their educational opportunities.
On Friday, 18th November, officers will be in Barrow town centre and, under the provisions of Section 16 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, will be asking any young person and accompanying adults why they are not in school.
Truancy is a significant problem with national figures, based on schools registers, showing that at least one million children take at least one half day off a year without authority. Nearly one in ten 15 year olds truant at least once a week.
County councillor, Philip Chappelhow, cabinet spokesman for children's services said:
"Truancy carries costs both for the children involved and for society more widely. Truants are more likely than others to leave school with few or no qualifications and therefore not likely to work in later years.
"There are obviously good reasons for children not being in school, such as going for a medical appointment. There is, however, growing concern that some youngsters are missing out on their education by staying away from school. In these incidences, pupils and their parents will be given advice and information about the law on school attendance with offers of support from Education Welfare Officers and may be taken back to school. It is also a matter of health and safety. Parental responsibility lies with their school during school hours and parents need to be assured that a responsible adult knows where their children are."
Barrow Education Welfare Officers can be contacted through the school or the area education office to discuss any concerns in relating to poor school attendance. Skilled staff can offer a range of support to help pupils and their parents overcome difficulties in going to school.