Penalty notice

Also called Fine for school absence, Fixed penalty notice, FPN

A fine for unauthorised absence, issued per parent per child. Since 2024 the rules are national rather than local.

What it is

A penalty notice is a fine issued to a parent for their child's unauthorised absence, as an alternative to prosecution.

From August 2024 a single national framework applies: the fine is £160 per parent per child, reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. A second notice for the same child within three years is £160 with no reduction, and a third offence in three years must be considered for prosecution instead.

Where it applies

Parents of children of compulsory school age at state schools. "Parent" includes anyone with parental responsibility or day-to-day care.

The national threshold is 10 sessions — five school days — of unauthorised absence in a rolling 10-week period.

How it works

Notices are issued by the local authority, and sometimes by schools or the police on its behalf.

Term-time holidays are the most common trigger. A school may only authorise leave in exceptional circumstances, and a family holiday is not normally exceptional.

There is no right of appeal against a penalty notice. If you do not pay, the council must either withdraw it or prosecute — and prosecution is where you can put a defence.

What you can ask for

Ask what the absences were coded as and why. A notice built on absences that should have been authorised is worth challenging in writing before the deadline.

Ask the council to withdraw it if the absence was illness, or arose from a disability, or if the statutory support-first steps were not followed.

If it goes to prosecution, get advice. There are statutory defences — including that the child was absent with leave, or through sickness or unavoidable cause.

Where to get help

Coram Children's Legal Centre's Child Law Advice service has detailed free guidance on penalty notices and prosecution. The council's attendance team issues them.