uch a job. Care Orders seems to be effective as it provides young people with the realization that their parents, teachers and EWO’s take prompt action when they are caught truanting. Although truancy is not a criminal offence on the child personally but the parents may be prosecuted for failing to ensure their child attends school. Ruddic and Wood (1990) have found court orders to be an extremely effective tool for dealing with the problem of absenteeism in schools. However, Reid (1986) and Harris (1989) regard it as a last resort. Reid’s and Harris’s view suggests that ‘tougher legal sanctions or the greater use of them will not necessarily cause the underlying problems to disappear’ (Reid (1986) and Harris (1989), cited in Le Riche, 1995: 81). In conclusion it would be possible to suggest that truancy is a serious problem that needs to be seriously considered by all members of society. Various causes have been put forward by a large amount of literature. Of course not everyone will agree with the causes mentioned but by examining them there is a possibility that all of them are valid. Remedies that involve the parents seem to be extremely effective as the parent’s awareness can surely play a big part in combating the problem as usually a lot of parents are unaware of their children’s school life. It is also obvious that if the school improves the atmosphere and teaching methods than the pupils are more likely to want to go to school. A good teacher – pupil relationship is also important and can ensure better school attendance Truancy is the first sign of trouble and the first indicator that a young person is giving up and losing his or her way. When pupils start skipping school than they are telling their parent’s, school officials and the community at large that they are in trouble and need help if they are to move forward in life. ...
