WFH causing school refusal to increase.

[rivalsbinge]

I read a thought provoking post on LinkedIn a comment about school refusals being so much higher since WFH became more "normal"

In essence the thought was a lack of everyone up, dressed out the door, it's now kids up breakfast dressed smart, out the door with parents in PJs or leisure wear going back home to work and the kids knowing that parents are at home makes them more likely to want to also stay home.

Obviously the parents do work but the kids (age dependent) are not seeing this and are thinking work/ school is now optional.

I did think this poster may have a valid point but interested in what others think, I'm also not talking about SEN and other considerations.

Well saying "I obviously don't mean people with NDs or mental health difficulties " is like saying " I don’t mean people in wheelchairs or with disabilities " when discussing motability cars.

Not really is it.

Thing is it would then just become a discussion about children with SEN instead of a overall social issue and discussion.

And last time I checked the majority of children attending school don't have SEN.

@BexAubs20 thanks you!

@rivalsbinge but the vast majority of children that are school refusing/EBSA are disabled or have SENDS/SEMH issues.

Love this way of putting it.

Hope you feel better soon, 0 hour school contracts would be loved by all can you just imagine.

I work from home..there is no way in hell I can work with the kids running about. I think perhaps it was more during Covid the kids had to stay home and learn from home so now they think it is a perfectly valid option so the importance of a school setting has been downgraded. I think in time when that period gets further behind us going to school won't seem an optional decision. (Although I have heard online schools are gaining popularity)

That wasn't my post other children are available and do exist without SEN and refuse school.

This isn't about SEN so go chat over on those boards there are lots and they are pretty active and helpful.

Instead of moaning that there's a discussion that doesn't suit your agenda.

Recent research suggests that over 90% of those with extreme distress about attending school, who make up the bulk of the persistent absence numbers, have SEND (most often ND). So there really isn't any purpose in having a discussion about it without that factor.

I can see that wfh may affect the occasional extra day off for illness but that really isn't a big factor in attendance numbers. It's the same with term time holidays. However if you listen to the Head of Ofsted or watch Lorraine you could be forgiven for thinking these are major issues. And that's why the attendance numbers aren't going to change - because nobody wants to address the real problem of supporting SEND children in getting an education.

^This. People sound off without understanding the crisis of unmet SEND needs in schools and how this is translating to non-attendance.

Ok you all win it's all about SEN children and we can't talk about anything relating about school without it being about them.

It wasn't the point of the thread and it's pretty tedious but never mind.

This makes no sense when as many knowledgeable posters have already pointed out almost all school non-attendance arises from serious health issues or disabilities. I'm not sure why you think ghettoising SEND parents who are pointing out the evidence base to you is OK?

But it is the point of the thread surely?
Even if people come up with spurious theories to explain falling attendance to avoid the elephant in the room.

One day it’s going to have to be faced.

@h@NonplasticBertrand as a parent with a diagnosed kid who's now in his 20s like I'd said on my first post it I was excluding the discussion around SEN.

I've read all reply's all really interesting and considered and I've enjoyed them all and yet here we are.

I'm not saying it's not an issue, I'm not saying it's not a consideration but for the purpose of my question it was about people sharing thoughts on the correlation of WFH and school refusal.

@NonplasticBertrand the post below was for you, sorry I mistyped your name.

I work in a school. None of the children with poor attendance that don't have any SENDs or other issue have a WFH parent. No correlation there, even if it's just a small sample size.

Both the increase in working from home and in school refusal are symptoms of the pandemic. That's your causation. Breathing issues and difficulties have also increased after the pandemic. Should we link those to WFH too?

@BlueSilverCats yeh sure why don't you start a thread on breathing issues and WFH.

I run a fully remote business BTW so wasn't bashing WFH but there's a ton of projection on here.

The things is, focusing on this very strenuous so called correlation ignores the actual issues, including the fact that OFSTED and their behaviours ,grading and tactics are also a contributing factor.

Yes, I agree, lots of truanting away from school. It seems it happens in the schools now.

But if you were to take all the Sen and non diagnosed but suspected Sen kids out of the picture there would not be a school attendance crisis, there would just be a very miniscule isolated issue for a few kids, there are potentially some non Sen kids out there whose non attendance has been effected by parents wfh but ofsted going on about it makes it sound like the major issue which it is not. It is far cheaper to blame parents than to provide adequate Sen support, or even adequate basic funding to schools

Well blinkin’ said

Send has always been there. Why is it a significant issue now?

Eh? It has been a significant issue for many many years.

No inattendance has shot up enormously. Is nothing like what it was before

From which time period to which? From what percentage to what?