Julie Scorer, Digital Transformation Community Lead for Education at MRI Software, explores how councils are using data-driven systems and digital tools to tackle rising school absences, streamline Fixed Penalty Notices, and reinvest resources into early support for children and families.

With the start of the new academic year underway, the education secretary has issued a warning of the dangers of poor attendance at the start of the new school term and how this could set a precedent for the rest of the school year. Unauthorised school absences are on the rise, and local authorities across the UK are turning to data-driven solutions to address the issue head-on. In the 2023/24 academic year alone, an estimated 149,900 children were reported as missing education at some point, a sharp increase of 28% from 117,100 the year before.

This is particularly pressing in the weeks around the October half-term, when the Department for Education’s data consistently shows a sharp spike in unauthorised absences. In autumn 2024/25, for example, ‘family holiday (unauthorised)’ absences tripled in the week before the break and remained elevated immediately after, reflecting parents taking advantage of cheaper off-peak travel.

Fixed Penalty Notices: Building a framework for consistent enforcement

To combat this, councils have ramped up the use of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs). The latest government figures reveal a 22% rise (from 2022/23 to 2023/24) in fines issued since the latest enforcement measures came into effect, with nine in 10 issued for unauthorised family holidays. Much of this increase aligns with the October half term pattern: families can save between £320 and £740 for a family of four by travelling just before or after the official break, according to consumer research. For many, the financial savings outweigh the risk of a £60–£120 fine, which helps explain why unauthorised holiday absences accounted for 10 times more lost sessions than authorised ones last autumn.

This makes the role of Fixed Penalty Notices not only about deterrence but also about creating a consistent, enforceable framework for schools and councils. In Torfaen, the efficiencies achieved have been so significant that the additional revenue from increased penalty notices now not only sustains the digital portal, which continues to streamline the FPN process and reduce administrative costs, but also enables the reinvestment of funds into proactive, supportive interventions with children and families. This approach ensures that resources are used to promote positive engagement and improve school attendance outcomes, rather than focusing solely on enforcement.

Streamlining through integration

Many councils are adopting integrated digital portals to streamline the FPN process. By connecting with schools, Gov.UK Notify, and back-office local authority systems, these portals help automate workflows, from issuing notices to tracking payments, reducing case handling time from several hours to just minutes in some cases.

Bradford Council has seen remarkable results following the rollout of this technology, achieving a £100,000 increase in revenue within four months of implementing a system across over 200 schools. The portal significantly reduced administrative burden, allowing staff to focus on higher-impact tasks and decreasing the need for temporary staffing. Schools and local authority teams now benefit from faster processing, improved communication, and more efficient online payment options.

Driving early support and efficiency

Another case in point is Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which, as well as integrating a digital penalty notice system, also integrated a data-sharing solution that connects information across their education, social care, and youth services. This real-time data access, in one platform, enables frontline workers to respond more quickly and coordinate early interventions in areas such as supporting families, food poverty, and substance misuse.

Torfaen Council also cut administration time per Fixed Penalty Notice from up to four hours to just 5–15 minutes. The full process, which once took up to three weeks, can now be completed in a single day, freeing staff to focus on family support rather than paperwork. Torfaen reported a marked boost in staff morale, with education welfare officers noting that the simplified process makes notices much easier to manage. The council saw a 94% reduction in administrative effort, while consistent enforcement is already deterring term-time holidays.

Digitising attendance policy

Local authorities are under growing pressure to tackle persistent absenteeism while managing limited resources. To meet this challenge, many are turning to integrated digital systems that reduce administrative overhead, enhance data visibility, and enable faster, more informed decision-making.

By streamlining routine processes like penalty notices and improving access to real-time data across education, social care, and youth services, councils can act earlier and more effectively. Aside from operational efficiency, local authorities can also deliver better support for families in a more coordinated and timely way. These tools enable staff to focus on early intervention and meaningful engagement, rather than paperwork and case management.

The October half-term spike highlights the wider systemic challenge as parents respond to travel price incentives as much as school rules. Digital tools and data-driven approaches can’t change holiday pricing alone, but they can ensure that when families do take term-time breaks, councils have a fair, efficient, and joined-up way of enforcing attendance policy while freeing resources for early support.

If this was of interest, then check out: 10 Ways Councils Are Using AI to Transform Public Services.