A Northamptonshire mother who launched a campaign to scrap school absence fines after facing threats of prosecution has taken her fight to Downing Street, backed by a television star.

Susan Liverman, from Northamptonshire, co-founded the No School Fines campaign after experiencing threats of fines and prosecution while her child was waiting for special educational needs and disabilities (Send) support.

A petition calling for families of vulnerable children to be protected from fines and prosecution was delivered to Downing Street on Tuesday, supported by Motherland actor Anna Maxwell Martin.

The petition had attracted more than 290,000 signatures ahead of its delivery.

Green Party MP Hannah Spencer (third left) and actor Anna Maxwell Martin (fifth left) with parents and campaigners from No School Fines delivering a petition to number 10 Downing Street, London, calling on the government to stop fining parents for their child's non-attendance at school. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/Press Association

placeholder image — Green Party MP Hannah Spencer (third left) and actor Anna Maxwell Martin (fifth left) with parents and campaigners from No School Fines delivering a petition to number 10 Downing Street, London, calling on the government to stop fining parents for their child's non-attendance at school. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/Press Association

Ms Liverman launched the campaign in 2022 alongside Bedfordshire parent Maddie Roberts, following their experiences of lengthy waits for Send support.

Ms Liverman said: "As a parent it felt like we were falling between cracks between systems – and the stress of realising we could be fined as a family just worsened a situation that was already impacting my own mental health.

"That was five years ago, and I can still remember the feelings of fear and shame – and promising myself that I would do my best to stop this from happening to other families."

Anna Maxwell Martin described fining and prosecuting families of vulnerable children as "cruel and unnecessary".

She said: "Fining and prosecuting vulnerable children and their families for non attendance is cruel and unnecessary and most importantly doesn’t work in improving attendance figures."

She added that better outcomes came from meeting young people's needs when difficulties arose.

School absence fines in England increased from £60 to £80 in 2024, with a second fine for the same child within three years rising to £160.

Parents facing repeated unauthorised absences could be prosecuted and receive fines of up to £2,500, community orders or imprisonment.

The changes were introduced by the previous Conservative government as part of efforts to improve attendance following the pandemic.

Ms Roberts said parents faced pressure when absences were unauthorised, leaving them feeling lost and as though they were failing their children.

A Department for Education spokesperson said reforms backed by £4 billion of investment were underway.

The spokesperson added: "Whilst fixed penalty notices continue to have a vital place in our system, schools should take a support first approach for children who are facing barriers to regular school attendance."