What it means for authorities

Duties on Education Authorities

The new Act places certain new duties on education authorities (local councils): 

Duty to involve parents

Education authorities have a duty to ‘promote involvement of parents in school education’.  This includes authorities giving advice and information to parents about their own child in response to reasonable requests. 

Strategy for Parental Involvement

Education authorities are required to develop a ‘strategy for parental involvement strategy’ and in doing this they will have to consult with parents, pupils and any other interested parties.  The ‘parental involvement strategies’ will mean that education authorities and schools have procedures in place to ensure that parents’ views are heard and that parents get the information they need and want about their child’s education.

Complaints

Education authorities are required to have in place a complaints procedure covering how they carry out their new duties under the Act.

Parent Forum and Parent Council

Authorities are required to give advice and support to Parent Forums and assist them in establishing a Parent Council. 

Further information on these duties can be found in the guidance on the Act.