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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 · 28/01/2022 09:25

I'm going to try write some notes now. I have been meaning to do it past few days but I feel so jumbled in my head.

OP posts:
CandyMan89 · 28/01/2022 09:31

Can you record the meeting so that you can watch it back incase you miss anything.

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 09:32

@CandyMan89

Can you record the meeting so that you can watch it back incase you miss anything.
I will try to do that
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Imitatingdory · 28/01/2022 11:22

BookFiend4Life the vast majority of GPs in the UK will not initiate antidepressants for children and young people. NICE guidelines state for children and young people antidepressants should only be prescribed after an assessment by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Many GPs take the same view with other medication for a child’s MH too. The bar for admission to a CAMHS unit in the UK is extremely high.

FAQs · 28/01/2022 11:55

@Notoschool goodness op it sounds so stressful for all of you, is there such a thing as family therapy available because you all need some help, somewhere to offload.

My daughter had free grief counselling at that age, she was struggling but couldn’t pin point the reason, school arranged grief counselling (no death in the family) because children around this age with an absent parent, my daughters dad hasn’t been in touch for over 13 years do date, and around this age they can start to suffer similar feelings to loss, I hadn’t considered this at all so it was a learning curve for me also and it really helped her.

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 28/01/2022 12:00

OP the system doesn't work and there is not enough knowledge in school about Mental Health issues. In my job we support parents through this difficult process. I would definitely look at ringing specialist solicitors to help you with this. You hopefully will get legal aid for this.

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 12:15

Meeting has been done.

Was not as bad as I thought.

1st thing the person from the school done was apologise for how she has spoken to me recently 🙄

And all of the bullshit she had told me was not even mentioned. Funny that .

So counselling is being set up the ds that's being arranged via early help. He's not being forced to do that In school. They spoke about how he was having counseling at the moment. But their service are being restricted so that's coming to an end. And about how there have been 2 referrals to camhs.

I told them about ds self harming and his aggression also I told them some of the things he's drawn /written on his wall . Oh i also pointed out the self harming he had done in school. I Said for ds to be doing this he obviously has some things going on with his mental health. Although there is no diagnosis this comes via camhs which of course is a waiting game which is not in our control.

I also made it very clear that I do want ds in school. I said I don't want him hanging about at home .

So he's being given a pass I forgot what its called. But it means he can leave the class when he becomes anxious. And he's on a part time. Time table it means he starts school everyday at . 11.05.

Ds has an issue with one of the lessons on a Monday. So he's already told me on a Monday he won't go in till lunch time 😞. On that day.

The person from the local authorities said she's looking for small improvement. So I'm thinking if ds gos at lunch time on the Monday and 11.05 rest of the week that is an improvement compared to not going in at all. The thing I'm concerned about is the school member who seems to spend a lot of time stressing me and ds out. Will pull him up on it and undo everything. The support worker said he's going to try and get hold of the person from the local authorities to discuss this.

Ds said he does not believe the pass thing will happen. Trying to get him to understand that as there's been a meeting it means it's official. He's also worried the person from school is going to keep going on at him when he just wants to be left alone . And he said that just because the teacher in class says everything is fine does not mean he feels fine .

I might have forgotten some stuff tjat wad said . I still have adrenalin going on Confused

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BungleandGeorge · 28/01/2022 13:14

We’re you happy with the outcome?

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 13:34

@BungleandGeorge

We’re you happy with the outcome?
I'm happy with anything as long as ds Is in school and support is in place.

But ds is still refusing to go in on the Monday morning. He's still going to go but not till after lunch rest of the week he agrees with the 11.05. The thing is the school staff member is likely to pull him up on it. And possibly undo all the work done today and then ds will refuse to go in at all because she's had a go at him.

She is not an easy person to talk to. She does over talk you. Won't let you finish the sentence says stuff that's not true. As an adult I have had to end conversation with her. So for a teenager it would be very difficult.

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BookFiend4Life · 28/01/2022 13:35

I think that's a great outcome OP! Totally agree the person from school needs pulling up, they shouldn't be discussing it with DS at all, can you go over their head and get someone to tell them to leave DS completely alone? Keep stressing to DS that it's official and everyone is on board. And maybe tell him to take it one day at a time? That way he doesn't feel like he has to go from 0 to 60 right away. Great job!

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 14:01

@BookFiend4Life

I think that's a great outcome OP! Totally agree the person from school needs pulling up, they shouldn't be discussing it with DS at all, can you go over their head and get someone to tell them to leave DS completely alone? Keep stressing to DS that it's official and everyone is on board. And maybe tell him to take it one day at a time? That way he doesn't feel like he has to go from 0 to 60 right away. Great job!
I just looked up who the person from school is . It Says she's Attendance Welfare and Safeguarding. So im not sure if she can be pulled up. I mean I know him not coming in till lunch on a Monday can't be totally ignored . But I think it should be bought uo at the next review which is only 2 weeks anyway. I'm thinking just leave the kid alone . Sad
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GreenWhiteViolet · 28/01/2022 14:13

Yes, I agree, OP! If they're stuck on 11.05 every day for consistency, or some other reason, would it be possible for him to go in on Monday at 11.05 but do quiet work in a library or study space instead of attending the lesson that's a problem for him?

I think you need to be firm and say to them that at present, DS cannot cope with Lesson X on Monday morning, and as they won't want to put the whole week's attendance at risk due to that one lesson, what do they suggest as an alternative?

(Personally, I think going in at lunchtime on that day is sensible, but clearly they don't.)

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 14:31

@GreenWhiteViolet

Yes, I agree, OP! If they're stuck on 11.05 every day for consistency, or some other reason, would it be possible for him to go in on Monday at 11.05 but do quiet work in a library or study space instead of attending the lesson that's a problem for him?

I think you need to be firm and say to them that at present, DS cannot cope with Lesson X on Monday morning, and as they won't want to put the whole week's attendance at risk due to that one lesson, what do they suggest as an alternative?

(Personally, I think going in at lunchtime on that day is sensible, but clearly they don't.)

The problem with asking if he can go In the library or simlar the person he needs to ask is not approachable. Could be possible to ask at the review though 🤔
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BookFiend4Life · 28/01/2022 14:32

I would ask her with someone else present, and get her to agree at that time (in front of the witness) that she will not speak to him.

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 14:54

@BookFiend4Life

I would ask her with someone else present, and get her to agree at that time (in front of the witness) that she will not speak to him.
It's all emails and phone calls . So don't actually see anyone in person . But you just made Me think. They should really give him a go to person that he feels safe with
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BookFiend4Life · 28/01/2022 15:37

Cc her boss on the emails! And just put everything in bullet points from the meeting. "It was agreed in the meeting that son would attend school from 11:05 daily. If forced to attend first class on Monday he will not go to school at all, please allow him to have a quiet study session during this period instead while we arrange his therapy. Communication with [difficult school woman] is a barrier to him attending school. Please email me instead of approaching him about attendance in any way. The goal is to help son feel comfortable getting back into school while we manage his mental health, please help me make this arrangement comfortable for him so that he can be less anxious about attending"

Others can probably word it better but she would need an awfully good reason to argue that no school at all is better than school on the above terms... i think having another party on the email is crucial though. Agree an advocate at school would be a great idea! Maybe he can suggest one? "Son is open to discussing attendance on a limited basis with [teacher he feels comfortable with]"

itsgettingweird · 28/01/2022 16:46

Well done.

When you have this weekend send an email confirming the discussion, what they said they will do and what was agreed.

Then explain ds feels the pass won't happen and ask for reassurance he'll be handed it before he goes to lesson on Monday. Reassert he needs to gpfeel people are listening and this will help trust wise.

Then explain. Just say ds is really anxious about the 11.05 lesson on Monday. As historically when he's had to attend when uncomfortable he's not made the rest the of week you've agreed with him he can start after lunch. Then thank them for understanding and co operating in this minor adjustment to the PT timetable. Don't ask. Say what's happening and why. Always use the tone of knowing they'll agree because it's what's best for ds. Makes it much harder for them to come back and be difficult!

Notoschool · 28/01/2022 17:02

@itsgettingweird

Well done.

When you have this weekend send an email confirming the discussion, what they said they will do and what was agreed.

Then explain ds feels the pass won't happen and ask for reassurance he'll be handed it before he goes to lesson on Monday. Reassert he needs to gpfeel people are listening and this will help trust wise.

Then explain. Just say ds is really anxious about the 11.05 lesson on Monday. As historically when he's had to attend when uncomfortable he's not made the rest the of week you've agreed with him he can start after lunch. Then thank them for understanding and co operating in this minor adjustment to the PT timetable. Don't ask. Say what's happening and why. Always use the tone of knowing they'll agree because it's what's best for ds. Makes it much harder for them to come back and be difficult!

I don't know if that would work . As the support worker contacted the attendance office from the local authorities. And she apparently said no . He has to go on the Monday. But the support person also said he agreed with me as its about getting him into school . I think maybe I will wait Toll o have her details and contact her myself
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MrsVeryTired · 29/01/2022 12:02

That sounds great, you need to push for them to accept that him going in at all on a regular basis is fab. So the halfday on a Mon should be accepted.
If my DS had even attended 1 day a week i would have been happy.

Notoschool · 30/01/2022 10:00

@MrsVeryTired

That sounds great, you need to push for them to accept that him going in at all on a regular basis is fab. So the halfday on a Mon should be accepted. If my DS had even attended 1 day a week i would have been happy.
Yes it's just really hard to do its like they just say this is how its going to be. And that's it . Yes you get a chance to talk. But you don't have an actual say in what happens.

I had a dream last night that ds was sitting on the arm of the sofa in his uniform waiting to leave for school. I really hope that means somthing Sad

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Notoschool · 31/01/2022 10:17

Ds is still refusing school for the Monday morning. I was really hoping he would just go.

I feel like it's not worth the stress of arguing with him and possibly undoing the fact that he has agreed with everything else.

I'm just really worried that as soon as they realise this morning that he's not in school at 11.05 then the school Is going go be on the phone to me. Over talking me etc . I feel that she and the local authority attendance officer. Are not going to understand that forcing the Monday morning thing will have a knock on effect with everything else.

They are not considering what it's doing to him mentally or what it does to me. It all has an effect on my mental health. Because I'm dealing with a teenager who's very angry and smashing things up screams and shouting who's bigger and stronger than me and of course this has am effect on the rest of the family. I'm sure ds does not want things to carry on this way . We are doing all we can to get him help. But its all a waiting game. What I don't understand is professionals know this probably more so than I do I mean they must deal with children needing camhs counselling /other support etc they will know its hard to get help and there are waiting lists. But whilst we are waiting they just expect ds to fix up. And me to wave this magic wound . But surely as professionals they know all this 😔

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SoTiredNeedHoliday · 31/01/2022 10:24

@Notoschool I would email the school office & your main contact for this issue and say something like
"DS is refusing to come into school this morning until X time. He has agreed he will be in at 11.05am all other days this week." You could add he is not coming in as he feels that he will be to anxious to be able to be in the class that is scheduled at 11.05, main due to (what ever that is, he feels the teacher won't take his condition seriously etc)

That way you are on the front foot, they will not expect him at 11.05, you will not get a nasty call, you have explained he is complying going forward just not for that one lesson.

TBH I think you've done very well to get him to agree at all given the clear anxiety that he has around going.

Be adding the reason you are also documenting DS MH issue to school.

Itsalmostanaccessory · 31/01/2022 10:29

It's one class on a Monday morning that he doesn't like?

Did you discuss the possibility of him getting to school at 11.05 on a Monday, checking in at the office and then going to the library or sitting at the office with his homework?

He'll be in the school. He'll be doing work. He wont have to deal with the class causing the issue. You would need to push for it abe maybe go up the first couple of Mondays with him to make sure they dont try and send him to the class but did you at least ask?

Namechangehereandnow · 31/01/2022 17:12

Personally, I would allow him in at lunchtime Monday, 11.05 rest of the week. And if he still can’t attend then, just reevaluate and go with what he needs.

Re the person talking over you - let them finish, then say “ok now you’ve finished I’ll have my turn - please don’t talk over me again”. Then if they do, wait again and say the same thing again. Either they’ll get the message quickly, or they’ll continue - in which case hang up, ring back and speak to someone else.

Notoschool · 31/01/2022 17:47

He went to school today said it was OK. Then told tomorrow he's starting at 12. I give up Sad

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