New powers to tackle truancy and misbehaviour in schools, and criminal and anti-social behaviour on the streets will be available to local education authorities, youth offending teams, police and the courts from Friday.

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of PAT, said: "We are pleased that the need to solve the truancy problem is being given such a high priority. Measures such as parenting contracts and classes could be helpful.

"However, we are very concerned about plans to give head teachers powers to fine parents. This is an appalling idea. Head teachers and welfare officers don't possess the necessary information to make these kinds of decisions and would fear litigation if they made an error.

"Giving head teachers quasi-judicial powers could undermine their relationship with parents. How would such fines be enforced? What would happen if parents wouldn't or couldn't pay?

"Head teachers might be accused of treating some parents more harshly than others. A positive relationship between schools and parents is paramount to pupils' success. Punishing parents should be left to the courts, as they have the resources and the authority to do so.

"Parents do need to realise that they can be held responsible for their children's failure to attend school and taken to court. We are very concerned by the number of children who truant with their parents' knowledge - and even take unauthorised time off school with their parents. However, fining or imprisoning parents should be a last resort, as sending parents to prison has an adverse effect on family life.

"A great deal of teacher and support staff time is taken up with chasing up pupil absence, but truancy is not a problem that schools can tackle alone. Schools, parents and the wider community need to work in partnership to ensure that pupils attend school regularly.

"Teachers need the support of parents to help to resolve this problem. We need to encourage parents to foster in their children a greater respect for schools and a belief in the importance of education. The Government too must look at and tackle the underlying causes of truancy.

"Head teachers and welfare officers are there for the welfare of school children - not this kind of policing."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Dr Mary Bousted ATL general secretary, said: “ATL has consistently expressed its concern about on-the-spot fines and we have grave doubts as to whether this will be an effective measure for dealing with the complex issue of truancy. It would be more effective to take a joined-up approach to the problem.