Vulnerable sibling

[Liloue]

Hi there I’m new to Mumsnet!
My daughter is 3 and was sent a letter saying she is extremely vulnerable back in March and to shield. She has had frequent hospitalisations since she was born and recurring pneumonia (9 times) requiring oxygen, IV antibiotics etc etc amongst a constant flow of other infections. Even a small cold puts her in hospital but they still haven’t given me a diagnoses yet!! Her brother is 8 and suffers from moderate asthma as well as rhinitis. I spoke with my daughters consultant at the end of August re my son going back to school and she said no unless they are social distancing and wearing masks. Obviously being a primary school they aren’t so I haven’t sent him apart from the last few weeks he has gone in for two hours in the morning for maths and literacy and then I home school for the rest of the day, I have only done this due to the local authority and school putting pressure on me. The local authority want a letter from my daughters consultant which I understand but I can’t get hold of her at all and get the feeling because what she said was against government guidelines she won’t now back it up with a letter...just a hunch!! Feel like she has left me high and dry and made me look like a liar..it has all been really stressful and upsetting.
With rising cases I am at a loss as what to do! Has anyone else pulled their children from school when there is a vulnerable family member and if so what are the consequences with LA? Thanks in advance and sorry for essay!!

[nether]

You do need a consultants letter.

When shielding was paused, all DC shielding were reviewed in line with the new paediatric guidance and it sounds as if your review was done in August.

Even if your consultant's admin is a bit chaotic, you need to keep pressing for that letter which continues your DD's shielding and makes it clear whether it applies continuously or is (like the majority who remain on the list) currently paused.

You are of course meant to follow the wholly ridiculous advice that the shielded person should isolate from others in the household. This simply does not work when DC are involved and you have to appeal to the EWO's common sense

[Lavenderseas]

I agree. A letter from the consultant would help your case. Be persistent.

[Liloue]

Sorry to sound stupid but what is EWO? If I don’t get the letter what are my options? It is ridiculous we live in a bungalow and I’ve tried in vain in the past when one has had a stomach bug to separate them...just feel so out at sea without a paddle!!!

[Liloue]

Also from what my GP has said and my older child’s paediatrician as per guidelines he should be in school!

[Trackandtrace]

We got a letter off GP for our child. I wouldnt send your son even for the 2 hrs as i believe that the risk is too high. Ignore the LA. Have a look for the facebook group boycot return to unsafe schools. There are many of us in the same boat and the group is supportive

[muddyford]

EWO = Educational Welfare Officer. What used to be called a truancy officer!

[Flossie44]

This is really interesting.

Both my daughters were shielded with Gov letters back in March.

They’re both back at school themselves now as I’ve been told I have no choice!!

It’s scary!!

[Trackandtrace]

Our GP said its crazy as its no safer now than in March and that shielded children shouldn't in the Doctors view be back at school

[Flossie44]

Our gp told me to keep dd off while she was on Prednisalone and not to think twice about it

[nether]

When is the next F2F review with the consultant. They might be the chance to check/update the shielding advice for DD. And ask for it to be in writing, because without a letter you will come up against problems. The old letters from March are no longer valid, since the national pausing of the scheme.

If the next appointment is soon, you can probably fob off the EWO (education welfare officer) until then.

[Liloue]

Her next appointment is on the 27th of this month...just get the feeling she will say that her opinion is he shouldn’t be at school but government guidelines are that he should be...the trouble is she has already said it isn’t safe so I can’t un hear that 🤦🏼‍♀️

[dixiedo]

My son 6 (remission from leukaemia and has been on a vent from pneumonia) was sent a shielding letter back in March.
We received one august saying no longer need to shield.
I have sent him to school since September 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have an older DS and couldn't not send him and as shielding had ended we couldn't stay off work. There's no way we could isolate him within the home. It is worrying.
I received another letter yesterday (welsh government) saying to be more careful although not currently advising to shield again.
It's a tough choice to make.
On the other hand. He's so much happier since being back in school. He has ASD and isn't always the most social so never really thought shielding would have a huge impact but he's a different child. Full of spark again.
Touch wood he's been completely fine and hopefully if (probably when) he does catch it he will have it the same as most other children.