Bryan Slater Director of Education	Distribution
	To: Headteachers of all schools

The attached document is provided for your information:

INFORMATION	Title	Information requested by an absent (separated) parent
	Summary of contents	Letter
	Associated documents
	Date	January 2003
	Effective from	Immediate
	LEA Contact	Hayley Goodson, Senior Legal Officer, Legal Services Norfolk Pupil Attendance Service	(	01603 222582
	E-mail address
	Norfolk Self Review reference	1. How high are standards? 2. How effective is the school in developing pupils’ attitudes, values and personal development? 3. How well are pupils taught? 4. How good are curricular and other opportunities? 5. How well does the school care for its pupils? 6. How well does the school work in partnership with parents? 7. How well is the school led and managed? 8. How well does the school use its resources?
	Document reference	MI 11-03

This Management Information sheet may be found on the INTRANET at the following address:

http://www.esinet.norfolk.gov.uk/cadmin/misheet/

To: Headteachers of all schools

Dear Colleague,

Information requested by an absent (separated) parent

I am writing to you with further LEA guidance on responding to requests for information from a parent who is absent due to parental separation. This is because, on occasions, an absent parent may seek contact via your school.

In the case of separated parents, schools must be aware of the named people who are likely to bring or collect children and young people to and from school, and also of those adults who are likely to request information about any pupil.

It is good practice for schools to keep a written record of the known adults who may seek legitimate contact with the school to discuss the pupil’s progress as they have parental responsibility.

When any request is received, the member of staff is advised to check against such written pupil records and, if necessary, seek the permission of the resident parent(s) before providing any information.

By way of a reminder, any adult with parental responsibility (Children Act 1989) is entitled to receive the educational record of their child; subject to a Court Order preventing this.

Please would you ensure that if any request for information is made by telephone or in person by an adult not known to the school:

- the enquirer makes the request in writing before a response is made to comply;

- the school have written proof of the relationship with the child;

- the parent/guardian with care is informed in writing in advance of compliance.

Information requested by an absent (separated) parent who does

not have parental responsibility under the Children Act (1989)

Furthermore, on the rare occasions when someone seeking information refuses to leave the premises as a result, the school should remind the adult that the school is not public property and that police will be called if they fail to leave. Schools are reminded that a banning procedure can be set in motion if any person behaves in an aggressive/inappropriate manner whilst on school premises.

If you have any further queries, please contact legal services or the Norfolk Pupil Attendance Service.

Yours sincerely

Director of Education