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Original poster

Vulnerable/keyworker children

33 replies

pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 16:23

At your kids school was there a strict rule of who would and wouldn't be offered a place during lockdown or was it based on each child individually?

My daughter (reception) has (very strongly) suspected autism and is going through the process of being assessed and an EHCP is being applied for.

Would you think she would be offered a place or not based on the fact that nothing is set in stone yet?

I am keen for her to continue in school as the Christmas holidays have really affected her in a big way and is obviously in need of routine.

OP posts:
Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 16:24

I have left a message with schools but not sure when they will be in touch.

Just pondering on the likelihood of her being able to go to school.

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 02/01/2021 16:29

At our school she would be given a place

Doublechins · 02/01/2021 16:30

She would be encouraged to attend at my DC school

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Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 16:31

Reassuring! Thank you Smile

OP posts:
x2boys · 02/01/2021 16:32

My sons special school was closed throughout the first lockdown ,every child has an EHCP and every child is considered vulnerable due to their disabilities ,I'm hoping this is not the case again

Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 16:38

@x2boys

My sons special school was closed throughout the first lockdown ,every child has an EHCP and every child is considered vulnerable due to their disabilities ,I'm hoping this is not the case again
I'm sorry to hear that Sad

My daughter is in the local primary school so the majority would be doing online learning from home, and only those who need to be there for keyworker parents or those who are considered vulnerable would be in.

OP posts:
IndecentFeminist · 02/01/2021 16:57

Probably not at ours, unless you specifically requested it.

Sweetpea84 · 02/01/2021 17:13

Hi. Just be warned that it won’t be exactly like a normal day at school because you’ll have children from all different years. When my children first went in as key worker children they were all mixed so my 8 year old was with her 4 year olds brother but as time went on they crated smaller bubbles with children of similar age and they had their teachers with them. Hoping it’s like that this time around just waiting anxiously for the school to sort things out, but we’re both keyworkers who have to go in.

Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 17:33

@Sweetpea84

Hi. Just be warned that it won’t be exactly like a normal day at school because you’ll have children from all different years. When my children first went in as key worker children they were all mixed so my 8 year old was with her 4 year olds brother but as time went on they crated smaller bubbles with children of similar age and they had their teachers with them. Hoping it’s like that this time around just waiting anxiously for the school to sort things out, but we’re both keyworkers who have to go in.
Thank you.

EYFS is a separate unit for nursery and reception so I'm hoping that would be kept separate from the rest of the school especially for the vulnerable younger ones.

Will just have to wait and see what happens.

It's ridiculous that once again it's weekend before everyone returns to a school/work and nobody has a bloody clue what might be announced next!

OP posts:
Daisychainsandglitter · 02/01/2021 17:43

My DD (6) attends mainstream school and has an EHCP in place due to her autism.
During the last lockdown the school were very reluctant to take her even though she fitted the criteria. The SENCO rang me up and was asking my occupation, where DD2 was, my husbands occupation and said that it wasn't about her difficulties when I said she needed the structure and safety net of school it was about keeping her safe and the staff safe from covid.
I complained to my MP and she was allowed to attend and went 3 days a week.
I am more concerned about my daughters well being than her being exposed to covid and would do the same if the schools in B'ham close again.

Sweetpea84 · 02/01/2021 17:51

Fingers crossed for you. It’s such a horrid anxious time but I’m one who would rather their children were in then not. My eldest has terrible anxiety and needs routine.

Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 18:30

@Sweetpea84

Fingers crossed for you. It’s such a horrid anxious time but I’m one who would rather their children were in then not. My eldest has terrible anxiety and needs routine.
Thank you 💐
OP posts:
Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 18:32

@Daisychainsandglitter

My DD (6) attends mainstream school and has an EHCP in place due to her autism. During the last lockdown the school were very reluctant to take her even though she fitted the criteria. The SENCO rang me up and was asking my occupation, where DD2 was, my husbands occupation and said that it wasn't about her difficulties when I said she needed the structure and safety net of school it was about keeping her safe and the staff safe from covid. I complained to my MP and she was allowed to attend and went 3 days a week. I am more concerned about my daughters well being than her being exposed to covid and would do the same if the schools in B'ham close again.
I'm glad you persevered and got a school place.

I am so worried about her progress and how far behind she will fall with her speech and social skills as she has come so far.

Her school has been lucky so far and only had a handful of positive cases resulting in 3 bubble closures since September. I'm not hugely worried about covid exposure, but more about her general well being.

OP posts:
Redlocks28 · 02/01/2021 18:34

This would depend on numbers and staffing in my school. We would try to accommodate those going through a statutory needs assessment wherever possible. They might not have certain members of staff they were used to though.

Daisychainsandglitter · 02/01/2021 18:40

@pumpkiiinpiiie your rationale is so similar to mine and I completely understand what you mean by not wanting your DD to go backwards. I was so concerned at the time about her well being and the progress she'd made being undone.
The school generally weren't interested and I'm surprised at how aggressive they were in trying to persuade me not to allow my DD to attend.
Be prepared also for people to say it's only childcare and that the routine will be different and whilst it was different in some respects my DD did really well with the quieter environment and it was great her her. She also expressed a lot of anxiety about the virus and talked about death a lot so having the school was a reassuring constant in her life.
You know your DD best and you are her strongest advocate so if you feel she should have a place I would push for one.
Good luck!

Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 19:05

[quote Daisychainsandglitter]@pumpkiiinpiiie your rationale is so similar to mine and I completely understand what you mean by not wanting your DD to go backwards. I was so concerned at the time about her well being and the progress she'd made being undone.
The school generally weren't interested and I'm surprised at how aggressive they were in trying to persuade me not to allow my DD to attend.
Be prepared also for people to say it's only childcare and that the routine will be different and whilst it was different in some respects my DD did really well with the quieter environment and it was great her her. She also expressed a lot of anxiety about the virus and talked about death a lot so having the school was a reassuring constant in her life.
You know your DD best and you are her strongest advocate so if you feel she should have a place I would push for one.
Good luck! [/quote]
I hear you. I do think it could be a positive opportunity (out of a really crap situation) for children like my DD who might benefit from a slightly quieter environment and the possibility of a little more attention to focus on their additional needs.

Obviously depends on staffing levels and how many children do need to be in their bubble... I wouldn't expect any of the above but it could be a positive thing to come out of it.

I really just want her to be able to get up have breakfast and go to school, see other children and teachers and keep that routine and progress going.

The SENCO is brilliant and has always been very clear that she is in the best place for the best possible outcome, but has also been very honest that the gap between her and her peers is very significant.

OP posts:
Daisychainsandglitter · 02/01/2021 20:05

Routine is so important for children with autism so I understand why it would help your DD to get up have her breakfast and go to school.
It sounds like your SENCO is really supportive and understanding of your DD's needs. Fingers crossed you get a space for your daughter.

Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 02/01/2021 22:25

@Daisychainsandglitter

Routine is so important for children with autism so I understand why it would help your DD to get up have her breakfast and go to school. It sounds like your SENCO is really supportive and understanding of your DD's needs. Fingers crossed you get a space for your daughter.
Thank you Smile
OP posts:
Queenelsarules · 02/01/2021 23:28

I have a daughter who is autistic but no ehcp,she was not offered a place, but my son who at that time did not have his diagnosis was offered a place as he was considered vulnerable due to siblings violent and challenging behaviour. It was definitely not school but he had a great time and the break from his sister was what made our family life possible. Our kids school was definitely taking it on a case by case basis once they had ensured that all key worker children had a place.

Original poster
pumpkiiinpiiie · 03/01/2021 22:42

School have confirmed that should school close my daughter will be offered a place to remain in school as she is on their SEN register (with yet to be diagnosed learning difficulties).

Feel very relieved that the option is there should school close, although at the moment they will be open tomorrow.

OP posts:
Sweetpea84 · 04/01/2021 15:42

I’ve got my children in as well huge relieve!

justchecking1 · 04/01/2021 16:13

I think you should send her if she likes the security of routine.

However, I think you need to lower your expectations a little. Mine have attended throughout due to DH and I working in a hospital. The children were all in one bubble of about 20 aged from yR to y6. The teachers changed every day due to them working a rota, and the teachers and pupils came from all the local schools, not just my DCs primary.

In terms of work, there wasn't any. They could choose colouring or working on the computer, or could watch TV or play. It really was just child care, nothing like school at all. All their school work had to be done in the evenings as there was no supervision for this in school.

If she likes the security/routine of being "in school" then this may not suit at all

(Just before everyone piles on, I'm very grateful they could go, but it really wasn't anything like school would have been).

LizDiz · 04/01/2021 16:13

All children with EHCPs should have a place as they are classed as vulnerable. Those who have SEN but no EHCP may be able to get a place as schools have discretion to decide who is vulnerable if children cannot work at home.

x2boys · 04/01/2021 16:17

Only many don't @LizDiz my son is at a special school full EHCP every child in the school has an EHCP and every child is considered vulnerable due to their disabilities and we have just had confirmation from school that just like last time they will only be open to keyworker kids

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