MORE parents in Dorset have been served with penalty notices for child absence from school since September than the whole of the previous academic year.

Dorset County Council has issued 1,179 absence related notices so far in 2017/18, compared to 704 in 2016/17 – an increase of 67 per cent.

There was also a significant increase in the number of attendance cases that have gone straight to prosecution involving parents of children who attend schools under the authority’s remit.

In 2016/17 there was just one such case, but as of last week there had already been eight cases this year.

A Dorset County Council spokesperson said: “A significant number of these absences are for parents taking their children out of school for holidays during term time, which schools are not authorising.

“We will continue to work closely with schools to address issues of poor attendance and will take a robust approach to absences that are not authorised. We hope to see more children in school, accessing education to help them reach their full potential.”

Parents issued with a notice are required to pay a £60 penalty, which rises to £120 if paid after 21 days but within 28 days.

The decision to deliver a notice is instigated by the school, who then approach the local authority to request that it is issued.

Borough of Poole also revealed sharp increases in the current academic year, but claimed the authority has the best overall attendance rates in the south west.

Since September, 302 fixed penalty notices were issued by the local authority. This presented an increase of 46 per cent, after 207 notices were given out in 2016/17.

A Borough of Poole spokesperson said: “The Borough of Poole works very closely in partnership with schools and families to promote and secure regular school attendance.

“The latest Department for Education figures show Poole to have the best overall attendance rates of all Local Authorities in the South West of England. Attendance in Poole is better than the national average.”

Bournemouth Borough Council has only issued marginally more notices so far this year – 187 compared to 174.

Neil Goddard, Bournemouth Borough Council’s service director for community learning and commissioning, said: “Having a good education is an important factor in opening up more opportunities for children in adult life.

“When a child is absent for a day of school it can result in them falling behind with their learning, which in turn can affect their motivation, confidence and enjoyment of school.”

“It can also mean that they can miss out on the social life of school and extra-curricular opportunities, which can affect their ability to have or keep friendships.

“Not being in school can also expose children to risks and undesirable influences.”