Dc absent from school, so school called police

[angelinheaven]

Hi all, wasn't sure where to post, so posted here for traffic.
My dc was absent from school today, and I wasn't well either so at 7:10 am I emailed school so didn't have to think about ringing them at 9am.
Anyway where I live I get no mobile phone signal if downstairs, and the school tried calling me twice, and then called my mum, who was at work so did not answer her mobile either. So the school then called the police to say they where concerned that dc wasn't at school and they couldn't get hold of me.
So I then had a police officer knocking at my door!!!!!!!
Head teacher said she was worried and the reason why they didn't read my email was because the receptionist was off ill and no one else can access the school emails.
I am in shock that this has even happened, is this normal. My dc is never absent from school, and before anyone asks we have no issues with care of my dc or social services etc.
So just really confused, teacher did apologies, but still!!!!!! X

Message from MNHQ: We've been asked to put a trigger warning on this thread because there's some distressing content further down about a recent news story involving a child.

That's mad! What a waste of police time.

The children didn't turn up, no answer on the phone. If this was one of my employees I would have to do the same as we have a duty of care so the Police do a welfare check.

Sounds sensible to me and I think out high school does the same. They'd send someone round anyone if there was no phone call.

I agree most of the time it is a massive waste of Police resources but on one occasion they found an employee unconscious in her hallway- diabetes related illness- and it saved her life.

I can see why they'd be worried but I'd also suggest to them that they get a new system in place regarding emails. It's ridiculous if only the receptionist can see them - what happens when she goes on holiday?

Welfare check? its not like they called the police before trying two separate numbers first. My dc's school have a welfare check policy, it was started when one of the parents had a fit and the dc was left on their own until the DH came home from work. I cant believe your annoyed about it TBH

Massive waste of police time as the OP had already confirmed she was fine and child was fine by email, but ill and not able to attend school.

They need to sort their email system out. It's obvious that many contact numbers won't be answerable if the parents/GP are working from 9am onwards.

There was a story in the news just last week, of a little boy who had starved to death at home next to his mum after she'd had a massive epileptic fit and died. The school had sent a teacher round, but had got no response and there was no further follow up.

One of the main recommendations made by the inquest was that if a child is inexplicably absent and the school can't get hold of the parent, the police are informed straight away.

It seems extreme to you, especially as you emailed the school well before 9am, but the school was just implementing new guidelines.

Hope you and DC make a swift recovery

You'll know for next time, set your alarm and ring first thing. We have to ring on every day of the period of absence.

I would be very shocked if this happened to me, but I would also be very grateful that these checks are in place.

There was a horrific situation near me in London recently which resulted in a mother and child dying. It may not have been fatal if this sort of alert had been triggered by the school.

There was a report recently of a young child who died, next to the body of its mother, who had had a seizure, the school rang to find out why the child wasn't at school, and got no reply, so eventually stopped trying, they think the child was alone for about 4 days. I think the report said that policy was being introduced so that if a child wasn't at school and no adult could be reached, someone had to go to the home.

But why would you do a welfare check on a person who sent an email at 7am this morning?!

My dd's school has several options for absences, one of which is to send an email before 9.30am with all the info on. That should be enough in the absence of any other concerns.

www.google.co.uk/amp/www.standard.co.uk/news/london/chadrack-mulo-4-starved-to-death-as-he-clung-to-his-mother-s-body-two-weeks-after-she-died-a3559996.html%3Famp

I think that schools have to be seen to act when a child is off school without contact. Obviously the link above was after two weeks but it puts it into perspective why some schools are so tough on unauthorised leave. I think emailing was the wrong call too, but maybe that's what parents do now?

This may be a reaction to the recent case in Hackney where a boy died from dehydration after his mother died. The coroner said something about schools not leaving it a few days if a child doesn't turn up for school and the parents not being able to be contacted. Although I think it was suggested that a school staff member go round.

I'll see if I can find the link

I read this, a report on the death of a 4yo, which might explain why some schools are changing their procedures.

X post

Yanbu. If you hadn't of contacted them fair enough, but you did!
What a crappy systrm!
Noone can access the system but the receptionist

At all schools my children have been to the system has always been that you should phone between 8.30 and 9.00am and big names, phone numbers, class and form details and reason for absence.

I have not tried to do it by email, though I don't see why it would be a problem. I find it rather odd that the only person with access to the school email account is the receptionist, and that nobody else can look at them if she is absent.

X post, I see someone has linked

Of course the Head's emails will be private buy surely you can email the office instead?

The email thing is crazy - they need a back up of some sort there. But a teacher of mine didn't turn up to school one day (several years ago obviously) and was found dead of a heart attack, I can see why they do these things

Dame, she did email the office. It was the receptionist who was absent, not the headteacher, and nobody else could check the school email account.

I don't think emailing is sufficient,

I don't understand why you wouldn't phone the school as soon as it opened.

Oh sorry, I see. Still should've phoned.

seems a sensible policy

it was unnecessary on this occasion but the police checking on the safety and welfare of a child doesnt appear to be " a waste of time". If anything, its the very definition of their job.