Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

[Templer]

My Son has not bee at school due to illness since the end of January.

He has suffered from sinusitis very bad head aches which slowly improve during the day.

I have been to the Doctors numerous times ,
He had an MRI scan, and his Brain is OK
he was referred to ENT paediatric some 4-5 weeks ago, but I have found out, it will not be until June or July before he is seen.

We have now been referred to the council,
Can anyone advise me what to expect,
I have briefly spoken to the investigating officer, and been told that I will be given a formal warning at the start of the meeting,
any help would be appreciated.

Templer

[Kati]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

I'm not sure if this advice will help ... but have you thought about registering your son as "home educated" for the duration of his treatment??

You would have to put an "Educational Philosophy" in to your local council (which I could help with if needed)??

Have you spoken to the LEA yet??

[paulajayne]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

Document all of the Doctors appointments as well as hospital visits - make notes as the reason and result of each visit.

Have copies ready for the meeting.

"Formal warning" does not sound right.

[Templer]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

I have been very compliant with the school,
Unfortunately, he was only told to take Calporfen and Calpol to start with.
Then onto children's dose of the stronger drugs

MRI took ages to come through, now the next referral is going to take an age.
The school has all the proof he has been in contact with the surgery.

I have issues with civil servants as my children were in care due to my ex wife and what was said was always twisted.
The formal warning is apparently standard procedure,
this is what worries me as I can see the same happening again.
I want my son back at school he wants the same but is just not well enough to go back.

- - - Updated - - -

I think I will need to record the meeting on my phone, just to cover my back.

- - - Updated - - -

Sorry thanks for your replies.

Templer

[Templer]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

Thanks Kati

I wish I could have done this but I am a single father with 3 children and need to work what hours I can.

[Templer]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

Well for your information
Had the meeting
cautioned at the start so anything said can be used for the future, if my son does not comply with there wishes and it goes to court.

The School changed the attendance from authorised to no authorised from March, I was not informed

They want me to prove he is not fit for school,
At a loss of what to do as we are still waiting for a referral to see a consultant, it has been at least 8 weeks now and no appointment.

[charitynjw]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

Hi Templar

Just to dot the i's etc., is this an academy or state-run school?

[Openlaw15]

Re: Bad attendance due to illness being referred to the council

My Son has not bee at school due to illness since the end of January.

He has suffered from sinusitis very bad head aches which slowly improve during the day.

I have been to the Doctors numerous times ,
He had an MRI scan, and his Brain is OK
he was referred to ENT paediatric some 4-5 weeks ago, but I have found out, it will not be until June or July before he is seen.

We have now been referred to the council,
Can anyone advise me what to expect,
I have briefly spoken to the investigating officer, and been told that I will be given a formal warning at the start of the meeting,
any help would be appreciated.

Templer

Hello, Templer

Sorry to hear about your son's condition. I want to help you but you have left so many blanks in your facts. Please answer these questions where they apply to your son in your situation. I am just looking at things from different angles to get a better picture and my ideas are not meant to be personal so please do not take offence. I just think like a lawyer that's all.

What results did the MRI scan give, did it indicate migraine type problems? What has the doctor said, why have you been numerous times? Has the doctor referred your son to the ENT paediatric consultant? Is the doctor willing to stand by you and say your son either likely or probably has the headaches or migraines he claims to have? If not, why? You simply need medical evidence from a medical professional to prove that your son is not fit for school. Why, well because your son's school has the legal responsibility to make sure he is receiving a suitable education under education law.

How old is your son, is he primary or secondary school aged for instance? The teachers would have observed him if he had problems, if he were a young boy his headaches would make him cry often. If he is in secondary school, especially the older he is he is likely to have a higher tolerance to severe headaches/ migraines than a young child for example. However, it seems to me that it would still be obvious to teachers. What evidence do you personally have or could gain access to from his school that he appears to be suffering?

You additionally say he hasn't been to school since Jan 2016 so my question what was his medical condition before this date? He has been off school for a considerable amount of time. What was his attendance like previously, does he otherwise have a good punctual/ attendance record? When you say his headaches improve during the day, could he attend school part time or on any basis? How bad are his headaches is the key question, is he able to work from home during the times when his headaches/ migraine reduces? If so, why couldn't he do so in the school's environment where there could be medical personnel who can provide suitable support? Is there medical personnel at his school?

Is he taking prescribed medication for his apparently severe headaches/ migraines? If not, why not? Did the doctor recommend any such medication, if not why not. If he is taking any medication for his problems does this reduce the problems to where he can study at home or in school. If not, why not?