480.Section 19 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 makes provision for schools and local education authorities to enter into voluntary “parenting contracts” (as defined in the section) with parents in cases of exclusion from school or truancy. This section amends section 19 to enable contracts to be used in cases of misbehaviour where the pupil has not been excluded.
481.Subsection (2) inserts subsection (1A) which provides an alternative trigger to enable schools and local education authorities to enter, in certain circumstances, into parenting contracts with parents where the pupil has not been excluded. These circumstances are where the school or local education authority have reason to believe that a pupil has engaged in behaviour which:
has caused or is likely to cause significant disruption to the education of other pupils or significant detriment to the welfare of that pupil or other pupils or to the health or safety of any staff; or
forms part of a pattern of behaviour which (if continued) could lead to the pupil being excluded.
482.Subsection (2) also inserts subsection (1B) which makes clear that such behaviour can take place at school, or elsewhere if reasonable for the school to regulate it.