schizophrenic nanny

But English isn't the OPs first language and she may have missed the PC subtlety....

I thnk your title is offensive. A nanny who has schizophrenia would have been much better.

It is quite normal to have concerns about your child's safety but if you felt that someone who was on AD's was a concern to you why ask for a letter explaining what they were needed for?

I don't think you should employ this lady as you have already judged her and she hasn't had a fair hearing.

Thats not the same as asking of it would be legally possible for someone with diabetes to work with children.

My friend is a nanny and she is diabetic and she gets asked for a fitness to work letter from her doctor, no different from the situation here.

Of course it's all right its the same as a diabetic (who has taken the correct medication) I can't beleive people are still so ignorant about mental illness

I can see why teobaldi would have her reservations, she sounds very fair that she is considering her. It's not as though she has said an outright no.

I haven't read the whole thread btw, but tbh I wouldn't consider using her for a moment. My wonderful brother is on drugs for schizophrenia and while I know he tries as hard as possible to be 'normal' (hate that word) he has also admitted that sometimes he just feels in a bit of a trance. There are other nannies.

tazzle you are right, I think. 7 people in every thousand have schizophrenia, but I expect that many will be cautious about who they tell.

HereIgo - how many languages do you speak/write fluently?

I would support asking for a medical report focusing on work with children, as I think that may settle things in your mind?

Maybe you could ask for another letter from the G.P, asking to specifically confirm that they are fit to work as a sole charge nanny?

The 'old' CRB check had to include a section signed by your G.P, confirming they thought you were 'fit' to work with children.
During my NNEB training, a fellow student had a seizure at college. She had been diagnosed with epilepsy as a child but had not had a seizure 3 yrs prior starting the course. She had to leave the course as the G.P was unable to say if she was working alone, the children in her care would be safe. I always thought it was a bit harsh. Was quite a few years ago,though.

Really shocked at some people on here, personally I would not leave my dc with a nanny that has schizophrenia, it's fine if they take their medication. My sister has it and is the loveliest person when she takes her medication . Then she decides she does not need it and goes down downhill.

The op was asking for some advice. Give her a break. She is employing her so it's up to her.

Hear Hear Chipping in, so agree,
A favourite saying of mine to my kids is, if you dont ask, you dont learn, simple really.
I dont get why some people have to jump on people and start having a go simply because the person asking the question doesnt know the terminology of some things or how to phrase certain issues in a certain way, if that makes sense?
Surely the fact theyve asked a question about a certain issue/s would mean in most cases they want to find out more?

And I do appreciate there are some out there that just want to Troll tho.

I think catsareevil that the problem is that most people only become aware of people with schizophenia where there is a problem and it becomes "visible" in a negative way, they dont see, and are not aware, of the thousands of people affected by the condition that are quietly getting on with life.

Yes there are some people who are very intolerant but I dont think that is happening here ..... it is just people being unsure of the condition and wanting to be careful as its the care of their DC that is at stake.

I don't think she should have been jumped on either. My brother has schizophrenia and I would want further information tbh as I have seen how the course varies etc. It wouldn't put me off though if she was stable and had been for a significant period

I'm quite surprised OP has been aggressively jumped on in this way. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to have these concerns and ask these questions. I would happily employ a lady with this diagnosis in my team at work if she was in treatment and stable. I too would think twice and ask questions before employing her to have sole charge of my very young child in my home. It's fantastic she's doing so well and should be supported. But you would have to understand quite a lot about the condition to be confident this couldn't change quickly - and that is what OP is trying to do.

Could you speak to the nanny about it? Find out what she feels her limits are and her weaknesses with regards to any meds she may be taking? I'm very upfront about my medical problems with my employers (and was at interview) and explained what that meant with regards to my job role and how I adapt things to suit me. I'm sure she'll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have, especially as she's been honest about an illness that is often misunderstood.

What are the potential risks and how can they be minimised?

Its not a raw nerve for me, but I do find some of this thread stigmatising and I dont think that the analogy with driving with severe heart disease is an especially apt one.
How likely is it that a well person with a diagnosis of schizophrenia is going to harm children? Likely enough that it should be legally prevented?

I expect that we all agree that it shouldnt be illegal, so to me the assumption that it might be says something about the way that society views people with schizophrenia.

catsareevil - I'm sorry if this is touching a raw nerve for you :( However, if someone hasn't had personal experience of something, you can't expect them to know everything about it. I agree with Maya 'it's no different than asking if people with serious heart problems are legally allowed to drive'.

It would have been pretty awful for the OP to dismiss the applicant out of hand because of her MH issues, but she didn't, she came onto a parenting site to get some advice. So, no, I don't think it is an issue of 'stigma'.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds - apology to me not required, but very sweet of you, thank you. I hope your row with DH can be sorted out and isn't too serious... still, you know where to come if you need to talk it out!

Could you point out where I was contradictory and I will try to explain what I meant better?