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Original poster

Back to school Sept 2020, yet parent has autoimmune disease!

33 replies

MummyP4nda · 30/08/2020 05:57

Hi, is anyone else in the same boat as me? I have an autoimmune disease and my son and I both live with and care for my elderly parents, but I'm expected to send my child to school in a bubble of 60-70 children, none of which are allowed to wear masks! I'm really worried and people are just treating me like I am fussing over nothing, but we are a very vulnerable household. Why are there not better provisions in school and special measures in place for those with serious underlying health conditions?!!!!!

OP posts:
45Degrees · 30/08/2020 06:40

I think it depends on the autoimmune disease. I have 2 but have been working throught (NHS). The 2 conditions I have were not on the shielding list.

RosieLemonade · 30/08/2020 06:46

I think you need to speak to your child’s school and ask about the possibility of a package of work being sent home for him.

ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 06:54

Apparently, you are allowed to homeschool if a child or parent is clinically extremely vulnerable.

I'm sorry I can't link, but I have just read a thread about this. In the homeschooling section, titled 'Year 5'. There are links on the thread to Government guidance.

The school are also expected to provide work for the pupil (which may come as a surprise to them).

I'm a teacher and this was news to me.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General education
ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 06:55

Are you on the shielding list?

DianaT1969 · 30/08/2020 07:01

Have you considered home schooling?

Lonecatwithkitten · 30/08/2020 07:15

It really depends on what autoimmune disease. I have several and take an immunosuppressive, but not a drug that reaches the threshold of shielding.
I worked through out with the public and my stress levels have been high so a couple of my autoimmune diseases are worse than they normally are. My consultant is aware of all of this and that my daughter starts sixth form college - his advice be sensible wear your mask and wash your hands a lot.

solidaritea · 30/08/2020 07:16

@ElizabethMainwaring

Apparently, you are allowed to homeschool if a child or parent is clinically extremely vulnerable.

I'm sorry I can't link, but I have just read a thread about this. In the homeschooling section, titled 'Year 5'. There are links on the thread to Government guidance.

The school are also expected to provide work for the pupil (which may come as a surprise to them).

I'm a teacher and this was news to me.

That post was by someone whose doctor had strongly advised them not to send their child to school. OP, there are alternatives if you are extremely clinically vulnerable (if you had been on the shielding list and your doctor considers you at high risk still). Otherwise, it's school or deregister in order to officially home school.

Not a great situation. I'm sorry for the worry it is causing you.

ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 07:22

Even ecv teachers have to go back.
There was a poster a while back who had had two organ transplants who was a teacher in a special school.
I hope that she is okay.

justanotherneighinparadise · 30/08/2020 07:25

My partner has a serious autoimmune condition and just had to get on with it. The kids will go back to school and he has been back in his workplace since April.

What autoimmune condition do you have OP?

Pixxie7 · 30/08/2020 07:31

Unfortunately the kids need to go back to school the only thing you can do is take all the precautions you can.

RandomTree · 30/08/2020 07:31

The person I know in this situation is planning to send her child back to school but will be socially distancing within the home. Is that a possibility for you OP?

16fairies · 30/08/2020 07:34

Similar situation, my ds is on the shielding list and due to go back to a very large secondary school (over 200 students in his bubble) I’ve spoken with his consultant and school and we’ve agreed he shouldn’t return immediately. We are allowing 2 weeks for school to settle in to their new routines and to monitor the r rate locally (cases are already increasing).

School are looking at ways to protect him further but to be honest, his consultant has said he needs to strictly socially distance. This is not going to be possible in a classroom of 30 students who do not have to wear masks. I have not kept him safe for 5 months to have it compromised in this way and will not be sending him back unless he can be better protected.

I suggest you speak to school and your consultant to see what can be done.

I agree with you, it is a ridiculous situation for anyone who has been shielding!

SnuggyBuggy · 30/08/2020 07:36

I'd be considering home schooling. The situation in schools is all well and good for families with no health issues but I'm not convinced any of the token measures are going to make much difference with such large numbers.

NearWildHeaven · 30/08/2020 07:39

My teenage son himself does and he’s back (Scotland). We have weighed up the risks and feel that this is better for him mentally, socially and educationally than being at home. If he doesn’t go now then when does he? Understandably, we’re keep a very close eye on him.

My anxiety levels are very high and this is a far from a perfect situation we find ourselves in. But we’re just trying to make the best decisions we can.

meditrina · 30/08/2020 07:41

Apparently, you are allowed to homeschool if a child or parent is clinically extremely vulnerable

Everyone is allowed to homeschool.

Shielding is paused, and there is no special dispensation for recently shielded children (let alone children in families from households where someone else was shielded) in terms of attending school

(If this has changed, as so many guidelines have, could someine link the latest)

You might be interested in this thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/3961337-Webchat-with-Dr-Jenny-Harries-Deputy-Chief-Medical-Officer-for-England-on-shielding-children-Wednesday-at-9-30am

ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 07:44

@meditrina
I meant homeschooling without deregistering.
The school are still responsible and the pupil is still on role. The school still provide work.

ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 07:46

I'm sorry that I cannot link to the thread to which I referred to upthread.

sideorderofchips · 30/08/2020 09:24

Depends on the autoimmune disease. I have hashimotos and it isn't seen as shielding needed

SchrodingersUnicorn · 30/08/2020 09:27

Well shielding teachers are back in that environment. Every time we say we are worried we get called 'workshy' so don't expect much sympathy on mumsnet.
It completely sucks though. Sorry OP Flowers

ElizabethMainwaring · 30/08/2020 11:50

@MummyP4nda
If you were previously shielding and your consultant advises that you continue to shield, you can educate your child at home with the support of the school. The pupil does not need to deregister.
You need to provide evidence.

FourTeaFallOut · 30/08/2020 13:54

This is the first I am hearing of this and I am ecv. Are you sure? You'd have thought they would have sent out one of those texts - (you know, the ones where they said they'd keep using to keep us up to date on all changes and then got bored of it by April?)

Bigkingdom · 30/08/2020 15:04

I am also worried. I have rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and pregnant. I am so concerned as i am struggling enough atm with my diabetes and medication, let alone adding covid to the mix!

ElizabethMainwaring · 31/08/2020 07:37

@FourTeaFallOut
Hello. Look up the thread in Home ed. It's titled 'Year 5' it has links to the government's information.
Yes, those texts were great, weren't they Hmm particularly the 'you are allowed to open a window' one and the 'pack a hospital bag' one.

DracoDormiens · 31/08/2020 07:43

My mum has an autoimmune disease and is diabetic and has worked as a nurse throughout all this. She did catch it but she recovered.

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 08:16

It depends what autoimmune disease it is and what treatment you are receiving? I have 2 auto immune diseases which is common as they often go together yet I have worked as a TA all the way through. Advice from my consultant and the rheumatology society says only people on certain medications need to be careful and I’m not even sure whether that still applies. Obviously if you have been advised by your Consultant then that’s different but most people with auto immune diseases will probably be sending their child to school. In fact I’m supporting a child with an auto immune disease within school who went in since June.

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