(1)This section applies where—
(a)a pupil has been excluded on disciplinary grounds from a relevant school for a fixed period or permanently, and
(b)such conditions as may be prescribed in regulations made by the appropriate person are satisfied.
(2)A local education authority may apply to a magistrates' court for a parenting order in respect of a parent of the pupil.
(3)If such an application is made, the court may make a parenting order in respect of a parent of the pupil if it is satisfied that making the order would be desirable in the interests of improving the behaviour of the pupil.
(4)A parenting order is an order which requires the parent—
(a)to comply, for a period not exceeding twelve months, with such requirements as are specified in the order, and
(b)subject to subsection (5), to attend, for a concurrent period not exceeding three months, such counselling or guidance programme as may be specified in directions given by the responsible officer.
(5)A parenting order under this section may, but need not, include a requirement mentioned in subsection (4)(b) in any case where a parenting order under this section or any other enactment has been made in respect of the parent on a previous occasion.
(6)A counselling or guidance programme which a parent is required to attend by virtue of subsection (4)(b) may be or include a residential course but only if the court is satisfied that the following two conditions are fulfilled.
(7)The first condition is that the attendance of the parent at a residential course is likely to be more effective than his attendance at a non-residential course in improving the behaviour of the pupil.
(8)The second condition is that any interference with family life which is likely to result from the attendance of the parent at a residential course is proportionate in all the circumstances.
Commencement Information
I1S. 20 in force at 27.2.2004 for E. by S.I. 2003/3300, art. 4(b)