School attendance penalty notices (fines)

I am requesting the following information about school attendance penalty notices (fines) issued to parents in your area. I understand that national and local totals for penalty notices are published by the Department for Education; this request concerns information that, to my knowledge, is not published ' namely the intersection of penalty notices with children's health, mental health and special educational needs.

Please provide figures for the last two full academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25) where held:

1) Whether your authority records, at the point a penalty notice is issued, the reason recorded for the child's absence ' that is, whether you are able to link a penalty notice to the recorded reason for the absence it relates to.

2) Of the penalty notices issued for unauthorised absence, the number where the child concerned had a recorded medical condition, mental-health need, or was recorded as experiencing anxiety or emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) ' where this information is held.

3) Of the penalty notices issued, the number where the child concerned was recorded as having special educational needs (SEN support or an Education, Health and Care Plan) ' where this information is held.

4) Whether your authority has any policy or guidance in place on issuing penalty notices in cases where a child's absence relates to a mental-health condition, anxiety, or SEND ' and if so,a copy or link

1.The LA would know whether a penalty notice relates to an unauthorised holiday, or simply a period of unauthorised absence, as this forms part of the information we review as part of our processing of penalty notices.

2.While the authority may hold information relating to a child's medical or mental health needs in other service areas, this information is not recorded within the penalty notice database. Every penalty notice request is reviewed by a local authority officer to ensure it falls in line within this authority's Code of Conduct Penalty notices - code of conduct – Introduction - Lincolnshire County Council

3. Response: While the authority may hold information relating to a child's medical or mental health needs in other service areas, this information is not recorded within the penalty notice database. Every penalty notice request is reviewed by a local authority officer to ensure it falls in line within this authority's Code of Conduct: Penalty notices - code of conduct – Introduction - Lincolnshire County Council

4. Response: This authority has a Code of Conduct for issuing Penalty Notices available at: Penalty notices - code of conduct – Introduction - Lincolnshire County Council 

The Council does not have a separate policy specifically relating to the issuing of penalty notices where a child's absence relates to a mental health condition, anxiety, or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

In administering penalty notices, the Council follows national guidance, including,  Working together to improve school attendance: July 2026 In line with this guidance, schools are expected to identify and support pupils whose attendance is affected by vulnerabilities or additional needs.