Unauthorised Absence: the short film shining a light on autistic children, school attendance and fines

If you’re a parent of an autistic child, there’s a good chance someone has already sent you a link to Unauthorised Absence. The 15-minute short film was released on YouTube on 10 November and has been featured on Channel 4 News and across parenting and SEND communities.

Many families are saying the same thing: this is my life.

Content note: The film is rated 12A and includes distressing scenes, threat and themes of self-harm.

What is the film about?

Unauthorised Absence follows Anna, a single mum, and her nine-year-old daughter Thea. Thea is autistic but hasn’t yet been diagnosed. Going to school has become overwhelming for her, and each morning ends in distress. When Anna asks the school for help, she doesn’t get the support she hoped for. She’s blamed for Thea’s behaviour, told to go on a parenting course, and eventually fined for her daughter’s “unauthorised absence”.

The film shows a system that keeps reading a child’s distress as defiance. Meanwhile her mum is worn down by phone calls, meetings and mounting pressure, and is on the edge of losing her job.

Who made it?

The film was written by SEND parent Jo Clayton, directed by Georgia Parris and produced by Natalie Lauren. It was crowdfunded and is based on the experiences of hundreds of families. Emily Bruni and Beatrice Flaherty play Anna and Thea, alongside Cathy Tyson, and the film is backed by organisations including IPSEA and Not Fine In School.

Why it’s getting so much attention

The film comes out at a time when school attendance is high on the national agenda:

• In the 2024–25 school year, a record 459,288 fines for unauthorised absence were issued to parents in England, a 4% rise on the year before.
• Under national guidance, schools must consider a penalty notice once a child has missed five days of unauthorised absence within a rolling ten-week period.
• The government has rejected calls to scrap fines and says they play a vital role in getting children into school.

Most fines are for term-time holidays. The film asks a different question, though: what happens when the rules meet a child who can’t go to school, rather than one who won’t?

Autistic children are much more likely than their peers to be persistently absent. That’s often because of sensory overload, anxiety, unmet needs or burnout, not because of a lack of effort from the child or their family.

What we see in our work

At The Autism Service, families often tell us that school difficulties were what first made them seek an assessment. Many describe a child who “holds it together” all day and then falls apart at home, or who becomes more and more anxious about the school gate. Some are in Anna’s position: they’re asking for help while their child’s needs aren’t yet understood.

An autism assessment won’t fix everything. But it can help a family, and a school, understand why a child is struggling and what support might help. It’s also worth knowing that a child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get support at school. Under the SEND Code of Practice, support should be based on a child’s needs, not on whether they have a diagnosis. Having a diagnosis can help to get things put in place and provide the evidence that helps you request support in school.

Many schools work very hard for their autistic pupils, often with stretched resources.

The film is about a system under strain, not about individual teachers. It’s a reminder of how much it matters when schools, families and health services listen to each other.

If your child is struggling to attend school

If any of this feels familiar, here are some steps that may help:

• Keep a record. Note what happens on difficult mornings, any signs of distress, and every conversation with school. Dates and specifics help.
• Talk to the SENCO. Ask what reasonable adjustments, support plans or part-time arrangements could be put in place. Get anything you agree in writing.
• Ask for absences to be recorded accurately. If your child is too unwell or distressed to attend, ask whether the absence can be authorised. Share any evidence from health professionals.
• Consider an EHC needs assessment. If your child needs more support than the school can usually provide, you can request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment from your local authority yourself.
• Get independent advice. IPSEA offers free legal advice on SEND, and Not Fine In School supports families affected by school attendance difficulties.
• Explore an assessment. If you think your child may be autistic, it’s worth considering an assessment. There are two main routes. A private assessment, which you pay for yourself, is usually the quicker option. Or, through the NHS, you can ask your GP for a referral: in England, under NHS Right to Choose, you can choose which provider carries out the assessment, although waiting times can be longer depending on where you live.

Behind every attendance figure is a child and a family doing their best.

If you or your child need support now

The film touches on self-harm. If you’re worried about your child’s safety, speak to your GP, call NHS 111 (choose the mental health option) or, in an emergency, call 999. Children and young people can call Childline on 0800 1111, and parents can contact the YoungMinds Parents Helpline.

Watch the film

Unauthorised Absence is free to watch on YouTube via Directors Notes and MIMESIC Films. You can find out more, including how to host a community screening, at mimesic.com.

At only 15 minutes long, it’s well worth watching and sharing with anyone who works with children: teachers, governors, health professionals and policymakers.