Dd school attendance very low

[Schoolstress14]

66%

Due to lots of medical appts (didn’t think these were counted towards attendance?)

Frequent illness (severe gynae issues possible endometriosis?, Viral illness with very high fevers, one episode of d and v (lasted a week) and time off after a minor injury

Ive sent proof of everything as requested but now school want a meeting I can’t get more time off so explained it has to be a phone call as well but they’ve said I’m not engaging so they have to involve the LA? Can they do that ?

And I imagine not great for DD or for you and your employer.

I've no idea why anyway thinks putting silly pressure on the families of chronically sick and disabled children, not to confer benefits to them, but to get the school a better stat on attendance is acceptable? As for zig zagging backwards and forwards between home, school and hospital all morning, just to get the school a better register mark - well those of you that manage this must have a shorter journey to school and more indulgent employers than me.

I really feel for you. And your daughter. It sounds awful. I don't know why the school won't agree to a video appointment. Could you put in writing that you would prefer a video appointment and also stress that your daughter being absent at school so much has had a massive effect on your job, which you don't want to jeopardise any further. I would really stress that time taken off from work is used for when your daughter is poorly, not for a meeting. I would be very nice about it and say you're looking for a way to work together on this and would really appreciate their support. Also offer a meeting at school before school starts (often teachers come in early or stay late - again be nice about it and say you know how hard teachers work etc) or after you've finished work, if not too late. You shouldn't have to, but I would try and kill them with kindness and get their sympathy. There is definitely a balance to this though, and if you go too far, they will think you are nuts. So just the right amount of niceness balanced with that doesn't work for me. IME it's very much a game!

PS: hope you can get some help for your daughter soon. 🥰

I can see why they would be hesitant. May be worth seeing if the gp would send an advice and guidance message to paeds in the meantime to see if they give advice ahead of the appointment about meds to help control things and improve her quality of life.