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Original poster

Any education welfare officers out there ?

34 replies

loumum3 · 25/03/2010 15:10

If so, please could you answer me this question...At what stage does your LA threaten parents with fines/legal proceedings when a child has been absent from school due to illness ?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
loumum3 · 28/03/2010 10:23

I don't have any documentation and to start with they never wanted any, funnily enough they only wanted "proof" once I questioned why they felt the need to include threats of legal action in all letters ! The first letter was a standard one but the last few are personalised ones but they still finish with a threat. I have never had this before and he has been at school for 11 years. He has had several illnesses this winter but they couldn't be helped, I understand they have targets but real life doesn't take targets into consideration does it ?

OP posts:
seeker · 28/03/2010 10:17

What sort of documentation do you have to cover the illnesses?

Were the letters from the school "personalized" ones or were they standard letters?

Original poster
loumum3 · 28/03/2010 10:12

Good morning Nymphadora and seeker...I only ask as at 90% we started getting threatening letters saying we could be fined or prosecuted, I immediately called the school and the council just to check they both realised this was due to illness and the school said yes but the council said no (even though they had a copy of his attendance) the council insist I can be prosecuted because he has been ill and keep quoting the education act at me.

OP posts:
seeker · 28/03/2010 09:18

No, but I am a very experienced parent and a school governor who has been involved in stuff around school attendance.

Nymphadora · 28/03/2010 09:09

You may get a letter/ phone call at around 75% but that may depend on why the child had been off ( as in long illness/ lots of odd days) and if the ewo had spoken to the school over if they had concerns. Sometimes they do just look at the data before sending a letter but they should be in regular contact with the school who would have more info about why a child had been absent.

Original poster
loumum3 · 28/03/2010 08:55

Thanks for replies...seeker are you an EWO ?

OP posts:
seeker · 27/03/2010 20:18

If your child is genuinely ill and you have medical evidence to say that the time taken is legitimate, the answer to your question is "never".

wasuup3000 · 27/03/2010 20:10

If your child's been out due to illness and you have seen your GP then you should not be getting fined. Parent not EWO answering.

Original poster
loumum3 · 27/03/2010 15:50

Anyone ?

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