Parents in court on truancy charges
The parents of 13 children were due in court today as ministers stepped up their drive against truancy.
Thurrock Council in Essex is believed to be the first education authority in Britain to bring the parents of persistent truants to court under new fast-track prosecution procedures.
Council officials said 13 cases were being heard by magistrates in Grays, with parents being accused of failing to ensure their child attended lessons.
The children due to feature in the hearing range in age from five to 16.
"Bringing people to court is our last resort," said Sandra Fletcher, Thurrock's principal education officer.
"We offer multi agency support to parents and encourage them to send their children to school, including contacts with social services and encouraging them to join parents' groups.
"This isn't about parents who can't, but parents who won't."
Council officials say more than 30 cases are expected to be heard in the Thurrock area over the next two months under the fast-track prosecution powers.
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