A PLAN to improve the behaviour of schoolchildren in York has proved a success, with the rate of truancy falling for the first time in five years.

Fewer children are being excluded from school in the city as teachers and others work towards Whitehall targets as part of the four-year Behaviour Support Plan by York's Local Education Authority (LEA).

Assistant Director of Education, Murray Rose, said: "The first 18 months of the BSP have seen some significant successes for the council.

"Government targets have been surpassed in the reduction of exclusion and the delivery of full-time education for excluded pupils.

"Truancy rates are down in the city for the first time in five years, action has been taken to prevent bullying and some earlier intervention work is being supported."

The plan, which was approved in May 2001, is reviewed annually.

The plan is made up of 51 targets which are included in a report, to be discussed by at the meeting of the executive member advisory panel of City of York Council on Thursday.

The targets aim to reduce exclusions and truancy and define support to be provided for children with behavioural difficulties.

Goals include increasing support for over-16s living in care, reducing the number of persistent young offenders and improving the training for staff working with children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Action taken to combat truancy included emphasising the LEA's willingness to prosecute parents if children failed to turn up to school.

According to the report, prosecutions have been initiated with all cases being successful for the LEA.

Principal Education Social Worker at the city council, Mark Smith, said: "We have prosecuted in the last year more than we have done for a long time.

"I think it sends a message out that it is one of the penalties that parents can face.

"There has been lots of publicity, with two cases where parents have been given custodial sentences, although we have not reached that stage in York."

A new body, the Schools Forum, includes head teachers, governors and councillors, and will advise the council on funds needed for truancy and exclusions.

The executive member advisory panel will be asked to accept the report.

Updated: 11:30 Saturday, January 11, 2003