Part 3

Parental responsibilities

Truancy and exclusion from school

Parenting orders: supplemental
21
1
In deciding whether to make a parenting order under section 20, a court must take into account (amongst other things)—
a
any refusal by the parent to enter into a parenting contract under section 19 in respect of the pupil in a case falling within subsection (1) of that section, or
b
if the parent has entered into such a parenting contract, any failure by the parent to comply with the requirements specified in the contract.
2
Before making a parenting order under section 20 in the case of a pupil under the age of 16, a court must obtain and consider information about the pupil’s family circumstances and the likely effect of the order on those circumstances.
3
Subsections (3) to (7) of section 9 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) (supplemental provisions about parenting orders) are to apply in relation to a parenting order under section 20 as they apply in relation to a parenting order under section 8 of that Act.
4
The appropriate person may by regulations make provision as to how the costs associated with the requirements of parenting orders under section 20 (including the costs of providing counselling or guidance programmes) are to be borne.
5
Local education authorities, head teachers and responsible officers must, in carrying out their functions in relation to parenting orders, have regard to any guidance which is issued by the appropriate person from time to time for that purpose.