Fine amounts
The first time we issue a penalty notice, the amount payable will be £80 per parent, per child, to be paid within 21 days. After 21 days, the amount will increase to £160 per parent, per child.
If we issue a second penalty notice within 3 years, the amount will be £160 per parent, per child, to be paid within 28 days.
For any further period of absence within 3 years, a penalty notice will not be issued. The case may be referred to the Magistrates’ Court under section 444 of the Education Act (1996) or other legal measures may be considered.
How to pay
Details of how to pay will be included with the penalty notice.
Payments are only acceptable using the e-payment facility for penalty notices. Payments by any other means cannot be accepted.
What happens if you do not pay
If the penalty notice is not paid in full after 28 days, the local authority will instigate a prosecution. The EWS may use the fact that a penalty notice was issued and remains unpaid as evidence. Unlike other penalty notice schemes, the prosecution would not be for non-payment of the fine, but for the original offence of failing to ensure a child’s regular attendance at school.
What happens to revenue from penalty notices
Revenue generated from the fines is used to cover enforcement costs. It’s unlikely that revenue will be greater than enforcement costs but if revenue does exceed enforcement costs, that sum is held by local authority.