Really angry, say something or over reacting?

[aawcmon]

My DD has just started high school and is loving it so far. She has asthma which is well managed, but she always carries her blue inhaler just in case of emergencies. Today, she had a really bad attack for the 1st time in years. I got a phone call from school office saying can you come and collect your daughter, she's feeling a bit breathless. I arrive at school within 20 mins and was shocked to see the state she was in. She was struggling for breath and was crying. She didn't have any adults sitting with her, only her friend from class. Reception staff couldn't have been less interested if they'd tried, I received no background info to what could have triggered the attack. DD had taken her blue inhaler multiple times, but it did not help.... DD was in such a state, I phoned doctor's office who advised me to take her to A&E straight away. We ended up being in hospital most of the day on nebulisers, steroids, x-rays, and she will need on going checks this week as her lung capacity is still not ideal. I am so angry with the school, it was obvious just by looking at her that she was in distress and to leave her by herself, she was panicking and exacerbating the issue. Should I bring this up with school or leave it (DD doesn't want me to do anything as she's scared teachers won't like her as much if I complain)

Yes complain. They need to understand that asthma is potentially lethal.

Getting really mad now, being passed from pillar to post now, can't get anyone to respond despite using words such as urgent and safeguarding issues.

Hmmm...do you have Chair of Governors contact details? Go straight in with email to Head and them if you do. Might be worth copying in someone from Local Authority too. Will make them all respond to you much faster I suspect. Remember you are not being difficult here. You are seeking answers to what happened and reassurance that things will change in the future for both your DD and all children at the school. Stay assertive!

Maybe this is the point at which you say that as there is nobody available you will have to contact the Local Authority directly.

Sorry if you've already said OP. Is it an academy? (Because theres ways of going over all their heads if need be).

Give them to the end of the day to respond. DDs school usually contacts me first thing in the morning or just after home time when all the children are seen off safely etc.

Go into the school rather than ringing. State that you have a safeguarding concern and that you need to see the safeguarding lead. Don't move until they have seen you.

Definitely go to chair of governors and they will all stand up and listen and you'll have a meeting arranged immediately

Sorry, I should have said earlier, this is a high school in Scotland, no governors that I'm aware of.

Well, i think it needs dealt with and obviously hasn't been good but the reality is that its not urgent now and its not a safeguarding issue. I think you get taken more seriously when you are factual and assertive.

Aw your poor daughter that sounds awful! I'd be absolutely fuming too. I think you'd be better off going down to the school if you want answers. I ask to see their safeguarding policy and medical care policy. Good luck hope your daughter feels bit better today.

@aawcmon I hope your daughter feels better soon. My sisters have asthma and a school friend passed away after an attack. Just awful. Contact your local councils education department maybe?

its not a safeguarding issue

Yes it is, there are hundreds of children in the school at risk from lax first aid policies.

bloody hell...was really hoping there would be an encouraging update by now.

Oh your poor daughter, my dd has asthma too and it’s so so under estimated as to how dangerous it can be and how quick they can deteriorate. Complain as loud as you can and also perhaps take in a very boldly highlighted copy of her asthma plan even if they already have it just to extra emphasise the point!! I hope she feels better soon xxx

All guns blazing. Complain straight to the governers, not the Head.

Children have died in schools due to mishandling of asthma like this.

miseregrine sorry about your ds' experience but it really isn't safe for your ds to eat random cakes from a cake stall. Even if the teacher had checked there is no guarentee the cake would be safe as most people don't think about "May contain" or cross contamination when they cook. Only safe way is bought cakes when someone has read the ingredients.

With ds1 (peanut allergy) we kept a box of treats in school and he would eat from that if there was a cake stall/class party etc.

Maybe you could call back and suggest that your next step will be to contact The Health & Safety Executive?

Failure to implement and to follow sensible protocols in these situations must surely be some sort of breach of the school's obligation to protect the safety of its pupils?

There could be hundreds (or more) of kids at risk here. For all we know, the entire council area may be lacking in their protocols for asthma.

Have you emailed the head. Maybe with a copy of the links about that poor boy who died at school. Might focus their mind.

I'm appalled at this but it sounds just like the sort of thing that would happen at DD2's school

I hope your DD is feeling better now. And to you. What a fright!

I'm a teacher and I would suggest that you raise this at the highest level; Chair of the Board of Governors and cc the Head.

This is a major issue and without wishing to scare you, children have died in similar situations. It is easy to think of asthma as a trivial condition but it's not. They need a protocol for staff to follow to the letter. Don't let this be downplayed.

Starry
It is definately a safeguarding issue. What if they have another child with asthma today, sitting on thier own in a room dying due to school negligence?

Dont give up op. March into school and demand to see someone today or you are on your way to the to local authority offices.
They are passing the buck as they know they screwed up completely and are trying to do damage limitation before speaking to you. Dont give them a chance.

I hope you get through soon.
Remain calm but steely. This is a massively important issue.

Really glad your daughter was okay last night and now.

its not a safeguarding issue

Not accessing appropriate medical care immediately IS a safeguarding issue.
Parents can get charged for similar.

Never understood this weirs notion that its only a safeguarding matter at home but not at school.

Well, i think it needs dealt with and obviously hasn't been good but the reality is that its not urgent now and its not a safeguarding issue.

It's a huge safeguarding issue and it is urgent. My child is at school now and I, like OP, am entitled to know that he is as safe as possible at school. He changed schools because a busy teacher told him that he would have to wait for his inhaler when he was having an asthma attack because 'I can't go and get it now' - the teacher was sacked and DS changed schools the same week.

This is appalling and heartbreaking for you, to think of your daughter there in distress. Please complain and make sure you put it in writing to the LEA. This must not happen again.