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My son won't go to school.. im in shit for it

427 replies

Notoschool · 25/01/2022 10:31

My son is 14. He's been refusing school since around September. He's probably been 5 or 6 times since. He gives lots of different reasons such as he does not like the teacher . Or he feels anxious in the class. He hates the lesson. His reasons seem to change.

He has been self harming by cutting himself. He's been offered counselling at school.but as hes not going to school that's not happening. We have asked for help from camhs that was refused. So we have appealed. We found another counselling/support service for young people they are giving him 3 sessions. And that ends. As they are reducing their services. At the moment we have some support from early help but apparently that comes to a close in around 3 weeks.

My son has been very aggressive to the point he scares me. He's done things like smash up the doors in the house put holes in a partition wall. He's also verbally aggressive.

Recently the school offered him part time time table. To start at 11.15 . He agreed with this . Apart from the Monday where he wanted to start at lunchtime. The school refused this . But I really stood up for ds . As I thought this was better than not going at all. I agree its not right but surely a step in the right direction. His body language had changed and his tone. I really thought he was going to do it . So he went to school on the Friday. Come Monday He's refusing again I actually agued his point with the school so now it's made me look really bad and now he's made it impossible for me to have any valued say in a meeting that's going to happen in a few days.

Hes always asking for money to top his phone up. For food when he's out. Or just general things that teens often want . He wanted money Friday. I said once I know your at school I will transfer you money. Then on Tuesday as long as you have been to school on the Monday and Tuesday. I will top up your phone. But he did not stick to this agreement. So I have not topped up his phone. He told me how selfish I am . And said to me things like: "you only have to do a simple thing. It's like you want me to cut." He has said several similar things.

I'm actually frightened that because I'm refusing to give him money or top up his phone he's going to become very aggressive later on.

The school have told me there is going to be a meeting the local authorities will be there. I have been told I can get a large fine. Could get a tag or even go to prison . My son has told me he does not care. I'm told the law says its my responsibility to get him to school but no one can actually tell me how I can get him in school. He's 14 and 6ft tall I can't physically get him there.

I'm really scared of this whole situation. But I feel totally trapped in the situation and don't know what to do. My son just won't engage.

OP posts:
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Notoschool · 27/01/2022 12:24

I messaged ds support worker this morning. I mentioned about bringing up EHCP at the meeting tomorrow he said it might not be the right time to bring it up

OP posts:
Imitatingdory · 27/01/2022 13:40

Don’t listen to others putting you off applying for an EHCP. Some LAs and schools put parents off applying but the parents go on to successfully apply themselves. DS clearly meets the threshold for an EHCNA.

3luckystars · 27/01/2022 13:48

Well when is the right time to bring it up then? Bring it up and bring it up again and again. Good luck.

RantyAunty · 27/01/2022 14:34

Not the right time to bring it up? and what was her reasoning for that?
Ridiculous.

The help for your son will have to be a multi pronged approach. It's possible for him to have several things going on. Anxiety, GAD, depression, stress, abuse, etc.

They may suggestion a variety of treatments, therapy, medication, CBT, DBT, behaviour modification, etc.

In my case, I was put on antidepressants that also treated anxiety. Once it took effect, it made such a huge difference. It made therapy and other treatments better having even a tiny bit of motivation and hope I would get better.

Another thing you could do is if he has a favourite movie that was based on a book, you could get the book and read it together. Having some time to connect and getting a bit of learning at the same time.

I understand it's difficult. Flowers

itsgettingweird · 27/01/2022 14:36

So at a meeting to discuss your ds difficulties and how you can support him to get an education.

It's apparently not the right time to bring up assessing his needs and what he needs to support this transition back into education.

You do really hear it all through this journey HmmConfused

crummyusername · 27/01/2022 14:43

I’m having some similar issues but with a younger child (11). I really feel your pain. Some of the suggestions here are so counterproductive.

Have you tried speaking to him at a time when stress is low and it’s not a crunch point (like the morning school run)? Say going for lunch just the two of you, or a day out, and having a very open conversation about what he wants from life. He’s obviously angry, anxious and unhappy and whilst of course you shouldn’t pander to him in terms of money etc, no amount of punishment or consequences will change the underlying issues, they could only make them worse. He needs to come to his own decision with your support. And I also agree you MUST have a wider support network - friends? Social workers? It is exhausting and soul destroying and you need to get strength from others.

crummyusername · 27/01/2022 14:44

PS I’ve gone on anti depressants myself to try to keep myself calmer and more able to deal with the stress. Don’t know if that might help you or not but I was at the end of my tether.

ShagMeRiggins · 27/01/2022 16:01

@Notoschool

I messaged ds support worker this morning. I mentioned about bringing up EHCP at the meeting tomorrow he said it might not be the right time to bring it up
“I disagree and will be bringing it up. As my son’s support worker I am counting on you for support as well.”

Do not let them set the agenda for this meeting. Do not let it be a one-way meeting. Question every statement they make that removes their responsibility to him. Challenge everything that sounds illogical or off (I am particularly cross at the person who told you they can’t do anything unless he is in school; I don’t know about your LA, but that is certainly not the case with mine).

The school should be putting their backs into supporting every step you’ve taken to support your child, such as providing relevant information to CAMHS (with your permission) that would increase the chances of getting your referral accepted.

They should liaise with your GP (again, only with your permission and only for information relevant to this particular situation) and be scouring resources to which only they have access to commission.

You say you’re not educated enough to home school him, I don’t know about that and am not suggesting you do so, but you sound plenty smart to me. If there’s something you don’t know or don’t understand, so what? It’s their job to help your son, therefore it is their job to clearly inform you. You can learn anything you need to, OP.

thedefinitionofmadness · 27/01/2022 16:10

@Notoschool

I messaged ds support worker this morning. I mentioned about bringing up EHCP at the meeting tomorrow he said it might not be the right time to bring it up
Support worker isn't in the workflow for that. They will have an attendance brief and little or no experience of MH or SEN.

Get a meeting with the SENCO. Ring them direct. Or write the HT. Insist.

In our case the SENCO wasn't even aware of our daughter until we applied as parents for EHCP, when she had to, by law, respond within 4 weeks. She's now all over it because she can see need.

But first ring the local SENDIAS, they know the law and can guide you. With luck they also know the local schools and key people, and how the local authority does things. They can probably put the LA and school back in their box re the fines, insist on authorised absence etc. as well. (if they are any good, our local one is, when you eventually get through to them)

Gardengates · 27/01/2022 16:20

I just wanted to throw in on the HE issue and you not feeling educated enough to do it, bear in mind the quality of education he is getting now.

Not saying you have to do it, and maybe it isn't t right for you, but clearly standard education is failing him for various reasons and maybe an alternative could work.

Educational deficits are relatively easy to catch up. Emotional damage is far harder to fix. For you and for your son.

thedefinitionofmadness · 27/01/2022 16:26

@Notoschool

I messaged ds support worker this morning. I mentioned about bringing up EHCP at the meeting tomorrow he said it might not be the right time to bring it up
It is absolutely 100% the right time to bring it up.

In fact I would do a parent led application this week - doesn't matter if you don't know what you are doing (it will get knocked back first time whatever happens, unless you have Ed Psych report etc). So you can apply and then stop your application as and when the school sort their act out and help you with one.

Before the meeting:
Go to the GP (alone if son won't) and ask for whatever help they can give and to document the meeting/send a letter
Collect up your CAMHs correspondence
Start a diary of what is going on with your son and all your meetings.

At the meeting:

  • ask to record it only for your own records
  • take someone with you (maybe even the SENDIAS person)
  • ask them why they are not authorising his absence for mental health reasons (by law they should, and evidence should only be needed if they think you are making it up. Ask them to put in writing why they doubt the veracity of your reporting him as ill )
  • ask them what they are doing to help your son re his SEN using the graduated approach
  • if he has been out of school 15 days or more and this is likely to continue ask they if they have referred the local authority so that they can put alternative provision in place.
SoTiredNeedHoliday · 27/01/2022 17:42

@Notoschool have you got a friend going with you too, someone who can take in everything and be there for you? I would bring someone who is there just to listen and help you recall the conversation afterwards.

I would take @itsgettingweird 's opinion she seems to have navigated the system well and survived.

tsmainsqueeze · 27/01/2022 19:20

@StepAwayFromGoogling

You do sound like you've been enabling his behaviour. Surely you shove him out the door with his achool clothes and tell him to get to school? You don't let him loaf about in the house all day. And you've still been giving him money to go out and top up his phone? So what have the consequences for him not going to school been up to now?
How is 'shoving him out the door and telling him to get to school' the answer ? Both my sons are over 6 feet tall no way could i have got them to school in this situation. I can't add anything but just want you to know you and your son have my sympathy.
NYnewstart · 27/01/2022 20:32

Absolutely it’s the right time to bring it up.

voxnihili · 27/01/2022 20:37

Not read the whole thread but is there a PRU or other alternative provision that the school could refer him to? I work in AP and we have many students who were previous school refusers but attend our setting.

voxnihili · 27/01/2022 20:38

PS - if AP is a solution you might find that have the resources to help with an EHCP. We do a lot where I am.

Notoschool · 27/01/2022 20:49

@voxnihili

PS - if AP is a solution you might find that have the resources to help with an EHCP. We do a lot where I am.
@voxnihili what is AP?
OP posts:
Notoschool · 27/01/2022 20:51

[quote SoTiredNeedHoliday]@Notoschool have you got a friend going with you too, someone who can take in everything and be there for you? I would bring someone who is there just to listen and help you recall the conversation afterwards.

I would take @itsgettingweird 's opinion she seems to have navigated the system well and survived.[/quote]
There is not anyone. Its also over video which I don't think is helpful. I will try and take notes .

OP posts:
voxnihili · 27/01/2022 20:58

AP is alternative provision - so educational settings but not mainstream schools. They’re all different qualities - the one I work in is fab. Might be worth exploring to see if there is something locally. All local authorities should have a pupil referral unit but they obviously differ in how good they are. You should be able to check them out on the ofsted website.

itsgettingweird · 27/01/2022 20:59

Can someone come and sit with you for the video call?

NotMeNoNo · 27/01/2022 21:12

My son refused school after we moved schools when he was 12. We went through all that, violent outbursts, reduced timetable, dependence on phone/gaming all day etc. We were just getting somewhere when Covid happened, GCSEs went out of the window. However at 16 and in college (supported) he's a different person, coping much better, mostly attending and looking forward to his future. It took a psychologist, EHCP and ASD diagnosis to get us there, as well as a change of place and some growing up.

Can you maybe get school, the GP and anyone else who knows him well to back up your application to CAMHS - self harming can easily get worse. You need to really big it up that he is self harming and you are desperately concerned. Also if you think he may have any kind of ASD or similar condition, see if you can get referred on the assessment pathway - it may not come to that but it may flush out some professional opinions and support on his anxiety.

Also something you can do right now. Is there anything he likes or that you do together, that's nothing to do with school? My son likes going out at night and looking at stars and aircraft. Most weeks we have a couple of late night drives to a dark area or local airport. We get a Mcdonalds on the way, listen to his terrible playlists and sometimes have great conversations. Don't make it a reward. (But if he's in a punching-the-wall mood it can be just the thing to break the spell). Keeping that relationship going rather than you being "police-mum" will come through in the end.

Imitatingdory · 27/01/2022 21:50

Be careful with SENDIASS, some are brilliant but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies.

sharpenyourknives · 27/01/2022 22:44

Hi Op. I'm sorry, this is a really tough time for you. Just been through it myself. My son was suffering from anxiety. School were pushing for him to go in and we were getting him out the door in his uniform but he wasn't able to register as too anxious. Ended up with a v scary incident. Go to the meeting - tell them what you go through every day trying to get him out the door and ask for support. We are lucky as we were able to pay for private mental health support. I know that is not possible for everyone.

BookFiend4Life · 28/01/2022 03:21

Hey OP, I'm so sorry for your troubles. I just wanted to say that Drs do give anti-anxiety/depression medication to kids if they need it. I did, and it certainly sounds like he does. Also, I don't know maybe this wouldn't work, but the self harm I would think would be enough to get him a place in a psychiatric ward? Maybe enough time for him to reset, get on some anti depressants etc? In the US they have programs that help families stay together, meaning the family can receive counseling and assistance from a social worker...maybe there is something like that in the UK? Best of luck to you.

SoTiredNeedHoliday · 28/01/2022 08:38

@Notoschool don't be afraid to slow the meeting down ask them to wait while you jot down your notes.
Have you got your list of questions written down and ready to go? Perhaps @itsgettingweird can give you a reminder of some of her lines she used. Having read them throughout the thread here they were very good and might help your tone and to keep the meeting going the direction you want it to.
Good luck!
Keep advocating & know that you are doing the right thing!

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