The Department of Education supports parents to take responsibility for their child’s attendance at school.
Despite many offers of assistance there are times when parents will not engage with the Department or do not take up the support offered or arranged for them and/or their children. Failure of the parent to engage with the school and region or comply with agreed plans may result in the principal and/or the Regional Executive Director referring the case for consideration of prosecution. The prosecution of a parent is an action of last resort where all other efforts to engage a parent voluntarily have been unsuccessful.
Guidelines for Prosecution provide procedural information for schools and regions on progressing prosecution of a parent for their child’s persistent absence from school.