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Original poster

Would you be able to take your child into work?

113 replies

ScamTheSchool · 19/10/2021 18:57

Our school is having a "take your child to work" day next month. It is compulsory and there will be no other alternative program provided. We have to provide the name of the company he will be going to. They encourage girls to go with dads and boy to go with a female relative or acquaintance. [I'm not in the UK]

DS has SN and I'm a SAHM mainly because the school would not allow him in the after school club due to this. DH works in a law firm, and would have had to subscribe him two months ago. It's a national initiative so every large company provides something. We received the info from school today; and had assumed that children not going would be provided with an alternative program at school. This is not the case.

Due to his SN there is no way he could participate in the program at DH's office.
PIL is retired and MIL didn't work post DC.
BIL & SIL live too far away.
No other family.
I have done a bit of freelance work over the past couple of years, but can't give a company name and am not currently employed.
He wouldn't cope with going to one of the large company open days and anyway it seems they were booked out months ago. He's our eldest, so we didn't know about this until recently.

I have to arrange something, but have no idea what or how! Whilst I know some other people, there's no one I could reasonably ask to look after my SN child at their place of work for the day. I could keep him home and explain what my last job was, but I'd have to lie on the form to the school and I imagine he will have to give a talk or write up what he did.

Would you be able to do this?

OP posts:
TackyJewellery · 19/10/2021 20:29

No! I’m a therapist.

Kite22 · 19/10/2021 20:36

This is completely bonkers.

It is difficult enough to find enough work places that are able to "entertain" 14and 15 yr olds for their work experience at the end of Yr10, (in England) or, in truth 6th formers (who could be 17 or 18). The idea of having half a dozen 10 - 12 year olds even in somewhere like and office where there might not be too many perceived dangers is just bonkers. Once you get on to confidentiality or actual danger, it gets more and more ludicrous.

Plus of course, does nothing to promote any social mobility, with the City lawyers taking their dc there and the removal men taking their dc with them......

Original poster
ScamTheSchool · 19/10/2021 20:38

I presume there is provision for those who cannot go to another workplace -can they do work,experience in their own school?

No, there's nothing, that's my problem! More from the side of all the other kids will (I assume) be going somewhere, talking about it, doing a report on it and DS will not be able to join in with the discussions and activities the following day when they're all back in school.

OP posts:

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qualitygirl · 19/10/2021 20:42

What country are you in @ScamTheSchool ?

speakout · 19/10/2021 20:46

How old is your child OP?
My kids school had similar work experience type stuff, and many volunteered. Local elderly lunch clubs, vet practice, charity shops. Some required chidren to be 16 for insurance purposes.

PinkWaferBiscuit · 19/10/2021 20:50

The whole concept seems utterly batshit and even more so now you've confirmed the ages.

A 10 year old is unlikely to get anything meaningful out of the process.

At least in the UK with work experience the young person is encouraged to organise it themselves and they could gain valuable skills and experience from the opportunity.

At 10 its just a chance to miss school whilst getting in everyone's way. I don't understand the rational at all. Confused

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 19/10/2021 20:51

I work in my childrens' school 😂

3luckystars · 19/10/2021 20:55

He can stay at home with you at your job for the day. Sounds like they just want to get rid of the kids and have the day off.

I don’t think it’s safe to be bringing children into a lot of workplaces anyway.

bumblingbovine49 · 19/10/2021 20:55

You need to write to.the school to complain that they have not taken your DS's needs into account . I think all the comments about people's work places being unsuitable are not relevant because from what you say it is a national initiative and companies plan for it. However they won't be planning for taking care of children with additional needs which is the main issue here

What is the law in your country with respect to the schools duty of care to children with SEN?

Lightswitch123 · 19/10/2021 20:57

This sounds nuts. Are you sure you've understood correctly? What country is this?

EileenGC · 19/10/2021 20:57

Which country is this? Although I guess it's just a strict school that hasn't thought about all the scenarios where making this day compulsory would prove difficult for some.

I could take kids to work. But I'd have to hire a babysitter to sit with them in the cafeteria with a snack and a colouring book for a few hours, because children aren't allowed inside the main working spaces. I've no idea what they'd write about. 'We had crisps and a hot chocolate with Brenda and drew a picture of a train'? Confused

bumblingbovine49 · 19/10/2021 20:59

For instance could one of you go with your DS to be on hand and maybe only attend part of the day so he copes better . That way he won't feel left out . Surely your DH could speak to the event organizer at his work to agree something like that

Sittingonabench · 19/10/2021 21:02

Surely if they’re wanting to get children to understand the workplace and asking for different gendered parents to take children then being a SAHP is your work. In this instance probably the most important one. How to take care of a house, understand bills, budgeting, searching for cheapest utilities, mortgages, food planning and preparation, clothes, cleaning etc. Does it have to be with a company? Giving him insight into this stuff may be the most beneficial opportunity he has (and many people are left to try and figure it out in their 20’s/30’s)

Nearlytheretrees · 19/10/2021 21:07

We aren't legally allowed u18 at my work and dh works nights so we couldn't

MadMadMadamMim · 19/10/2021 21:12

Ridiculous. What if you were both unemployed?

No, I couldn't take my child to work. He'd be having the day at home if the school weren't able to keep him that day.

StrongerOrWeaker · 19/10/2021 21:15

I am also intrigued to know what country it is!

Stompythedinosaur · 19/10/2021 21:15

My dc don't have adequate clearance to get past the door! Dp could possibly take them to his very small solo office but it wouldn't be very exciting.

NuffSaidSam · 19/10/2021 21:18

Just keep him home and either let him do your job for the day or take him out to the shop/post office/zoo and talk about the different jobs you see people doing. If anyone has time they could chat to him about there job, he him to think up some questions he'd like to ask.

Unless you're in North Korea or somewhere there can't be consequences for not sending him somewhere! What are they going to do? Put you in prison? Madness.

Betsyboo87 · 19/10/2021 21:20

Oh goodness are you in Switzerland? Swiss schooling is great but it does have some annoying initiatives. Mine and DH’s work both do a day workshop for this but I know others that don’t and people are trying to find somewhere for their children to go. I would arrange a day with him that would explore his interests and then he can report back on that. Fill in the form with the details of where you’re taking him.

Cookingbynumbers · 19/10/2021 21:22

This sounds utterly insane.
Both DH and I work in jobs requiring security clearance and confidentiality agreements, not even a delivery driver makes it past the front gate. Dc would absolutely not be welcome.

Still, it’s a shame your poor dc seems to have a tummy bug brewing for that day, bless him. If the school can’t see how ridiculous they’re being, just keep him at home and teach him household skills. Way more use.

Original poster
ScamTheSchool · 19/10/2021 21:22

What are they going to do? Put you in prison?
Technically they could fine me up to €900. but usually you get one warning which I'll need when he's supposed to go on his school residential

OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 19/10/2021 21:25

It can't be completely unrelentingly compulsory. Some people work in fields which taking their kids to would result in a call from social services.

PinkWaferBiscuit · 19/10/2021 21:25

@ScamTheSchool

What are they going to do? Put you in prison? Technically they could fine me up to €900. but usually you get one warning which I'll need when he's supposed to go on his school residential
They could fine you €900. Seriously if this is true surely there is a precident for children who cannot go due to additional needs or does the country you are in not believe in SEN?
user1471538283 · 19/10/2021 21:25

I've never heard anything like this! My DS couldnt have come to my work because of security. I would tell them that they need to sort it out. Your child cannot be the only one.

Moonbabysmum · 19/10/2021 21:32

Could your husband WFH that day, and give him a few jobs to do that would be suitable (and not breach confidentiality obligations).

Or be with you for the day.

Or a bit of both.