non attendance - meeting at LEA

[Carbonel]

Has anyone been called into a meeting at the LEA for non attendance at school?
My dd has EBSR and because it is psychological not medical (?!) it goes down as unauthorised so they are pursuing a prosecution against us.
Have been called into a meeting next week under caution and would like to know what to expect ..
Thanks

[grumpyoldgitagain]

No idea what to expect but gather any relevant info you can from your doctors to take with you

[grumpyoldgitagain]

Assuming that even though it is physiological rather than medical there is still reference to it within his notes somewhere

[grumpyoldgitagain]

Assuming I am using the correct meaning of ebsr as emotional based school refusal if you Google ebsr psychology the top 3 hits are PDFs from different councils on this

Don't know if any of them are any help when you go in but may be worth having a read of them first before you and your DD are summoned to a meeting to see if they are of any help

[Wolfiefan]

What have the school or LA done to try and help? Mental illness is still illness.

[Carbonel]

The school are appearing to be helpful but say that the only way she can access help is at school - hmm, not much use then ...!

We have finally got a CYPS and EP referral from the school but do not expect to hear from them for weeks and the school also made a referral to social services.

Doctor is being less than helpful accepting that she is anxious but saying there is no medical reason why she should not attend school.

Could cope with it better if they weren't persecuting prosecuting us!

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

Can you home ed?

Or change GP's

[Icimoi]

Can you get the GP to refer you to CAMHS or something similar?

[Greenfizzywater]

If you haven't got a medical professional on your side they it will be difficult. I am a GP and I hadn 't heard of EBSR until this thread - you need to get a CAMHS referral and be aware that it is not a commonly known of thing. Personally as a GP I wouldn't want to sanction a child being off school for any length of time so if being off is really the best thing for your child then you need to get CAMHS on board. It will take time though. What medical/psychological input is your daughter having and what is she spending her time doing when not at school? If you can show that you are educating her at home then presumably that will go in your favour.

[SoonToBeSix]

Why have you not deregistered and home schooled your dd?

[Pointlessfan]

I have attended these as the school's representative. It is the ed welfare service that prosecutes rather than the school. Their lawyer will be there taking notes. The meeting itself will not necessarily lead to prosecution. In my experience each party has a chance to put forward their concerns etc and then an action plan is put together with parents, pupil, school and EWO agreeing what each of them will do to try to raise attendance. Like pp said, definitely take any relevant medical notes with you. There are special units for children who are unable to attend school, including school phobics and refusers. Places at these are very hard to come by but they might be an option for you.
Obviously I only have experience of one authority but I would expect it to be similar elsewhere. Good luck!

[NoelleHawthorne]

You're going to be hard pushed if the doctor says she should be at school. Loads of anxious kids come to school and have all sorts of strategies. Reduced timetables time out cards etc

[Hedgehogsbuzz1]

What is she anxious about? Is there a more suitable environment for her or coping strategies. Can you self refer for mental health support. Counselling? Even if you have to pay

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

Why have you not deregistered and home schooled your dd?

It's not that simple soon

OP I've been in your position. I was faced with prosecution and although the school and EWO were very supportive, I did go down the home ed route after a long period of great difficulty. DS was a simple refuser and I can understand what you must be going through.

Choosing to HE is one thing, being forced into it quite another.

[bloodyteenagers]

The underlying reasons need to be determined.

[Carbonel]

Thanks all, very helpful. Dh is going to the meeting and hopefully can push for some help. The LA have been very reticent in providing us with any information - I suspect it will be inaccurate as one referral for I have seen is woefully incorrect.At least term has now officially finished so the pressure is off til Jan.

[SoonToBeSix]

I don't think the op should be forced to HE I just thought it would stop any prosecution.