Child refuses to do any school work.

[Doimatter]

My almost 14 year old refuses to do any school work. Our home life is not straight forward. We are a busy house hold. One of his siblings have special needs and we can be kept up at night. So it's not easy to be on the laptop for several hours a day at fixed times.

The school has tried to help by being a bit more flexible with the times. And then to make it as easy as possible and practically on my sons terms they sent him a learning pack. He was asked to complete his work and send it in once a week. So they have given him lots of flexibility.

Hes basically done nothing. His teacher and deputy head has sent him messages saying he's got to get it done and how disappointed they are. And how much they have tried to help. When I asked Ds what he's going to do about it he said nothing.

The school have told me they are sending welfare officer to my house she said its not a reflection on me. But on my son. And said not to worry. But of course I am. What usually happens when welfare officer visits the home?

I'd be asking for him to be in as a vulnerable child due to the impact of his sibling's SNs.

I’m surprised the school hasn’t given him a place back at school on the basis that this lack of interaction is a vulnerability. Is it worth suggesting it to them?

Agree vulnerable child.

Tell welfare this.
How can anyone be disappointed in any child right now, hardly encouraging speak?. Why not (they) try and talk to him and see what the matter is...

Ah I had forgotten it was mentioned about him going into school a couple of weeks back but it never happend. Maybe it will be mentioned again now that the school has tried everything. I did just ask ds what he will do if they say for him to go to school. He said hes not going and they can't make him.

@Snowsnowglorioussnow

Agree vulnerable child.

Tell welfare this.
How can anyone be disappointed in any child right now, hardly encouraging speak?. Why not (they) try and talk to him and see what the matter is...

The thing is though he's not even trying. He's given in 12 pages since January.

So what consequences have you put in place?
I understand you have a lot going on, but he must be finding something else to do with his time. Maybe it's time to put a stop to it if it's console / phone.
He could earn them back for the evening by showing you he's done some school work.

I’d push for the school place (even though he says he won’t go!) and then consequences for not doing the work- withhold WiFi/ games console until it’s done?

I spoke to my sons head of year
Vast amount of kids are doing nothing
Like NOTHING
This is more common than we realise
Does he engage when at school

@Thisisworsethananticpated

I spoke to my sons head of year Vast amount of kids are doing nothing Like NOTHING This is more common than we realise Does he engage when at school

Hes fine when at school.

It would seem that half your battle is that you keep asking him what he's going to do. He is a child and you are his parent. It isn't negotiable. He does the work or there are consequences. Ultimately he should be going in to school as a vulnerable child, and he doesn't get a choice in the matter.