School refusing to allow DC to attend!

[LaraCroftFridgeRaider]

How I can take this further?

During the last lockdown, DD’s school were very strict on only allowing DC to attend where BOTH parents were key workers (or a single parent key worker).

DH is a keyworker but I am a SAHM so DD stayed at home. I also have a teenage DS with ASD and a learning disability who I am the registered carer of. His behaviour during the last lockdown was pretty difficult to manage at times and I feel it had a bad impact on DD. I don’t want her to be at home 24/7 with no respite from DS’s outbursts this time which is I want her to go to school. The whole family has already had COVID so I’m not worried about that. DS’s special college has completely shut down again.

I saw today that the guidance has changed to only parent needing to be a keyworker so I contacted the school to inform that DD needed a place but they are insisting that they will only be admitting DC who were eligible to attend during the last lockdown and the one parent change is only guidance!

AIBU to think they have to allow DD to attend?

I think you need to check the guidance for yourself on the .gov website, see if it is guidance or rules, and then take it from there.

We'd all like our kids to go to school and we all have reasons why they should attend. Your reason is valid but no more so than kids who have both parents working full time or single mothers or young children etc so yes sorry you are being unreasonable.

I can understand your frustration but they don’t have to allow her to attend. I know someone where both parents are working to get vaccine clinics but they are working from home & can’t get spaces! However, you could ask if there would be any chance of a space and explain how and why it would benefit your child.

I don't understand why the special school is shut, doesn't your son have an ehcp?

The gov website says Guidance. What’s the point in them publishing it if it’s not taken notice of?

Schools don't have to allow it ,unfortunately. Some schools are being strict on numbers and managing safety of staff and children in bubbles, therefore having to prioritise who gets a place.

The key worker system isn't fair; as discussed numerous times on here. Even 2 key worker families, doesn't necessarily mean they have it any harder than 2 working families, families with SEN etc.

Sorry but the school are right. Everyone has their own reason why they think their child should be in school but school can only accept those that are eligible and need to be there. They have to draw the line. Get on to the council about another place for your son. He is eligible if they can find him a space

I’m sorry your finding it challenging too but I’m afraid I agree. I’m also a sahm since I lost my job I the last lockdown. DP is a key worker but I’m not asking for mine to go in because I am here to do that. My mental health is taking a beating but isn’t everyone’s :(

DS has an EHCP yes. His unit is on site of a mainstream college and the whole site is shut.

@LaraCroftFridgeRaider

The gov website says Guidance. What’s the point in them publishing it if it’s not taken notice of?

All the government information has been guidance, hence people travelling aboard, 100s miles for a walk, eye tests etc.

The fact your OH is a keyworker makes no difference to her need for school. You're more capable to home school than most, you're a stay at home parent.

The school are right to limit places for those who have to go in.

I think my first port of call would be with the college. The guidance for those with EHCPs is clearer than what you are trying to argue, they must continue to offer some provision for him.

Your ASD older one is vulnerable because of his SEN. He's more likely to get a place then a child with no SEN,no social worker and a stay at home parent.

My husband and I are both critical workers and can’t get a place!

We would love one of us to be a SAHP.

There’s always a reason why people need a place, but the NHS will be overwhelmed quicker/prolong pandemic if more children are in school.

Can you get your child that goes to a mainstream school on the basis of them being a "young carer" and due to them having a disabled sibling?

Most schools are at capacity now with keyworker children. They have to prioritise those most as risk (either because both parents are keyworkers working outside of home and the child would be left alone, or other factors). Your circumstances sound really hard but with so many children fitting the criteria, schools have to be strict for the safety of everyone.

There are many other threads the same as this. They don't have to give your DS a place. It's hard when the special provision closes. DD1 is at home, too.

I think your dd is definitely vulnerable. I think she should be prioritised for a place.

Just said this on another thread. The government estimated that 10% of classes will be the children of key workers.

In my daughter's school it is 80%. In my daughter's class 21 out of 30 children have requested a place because their parents are key workers. That wouldn't be much of a lockdown.

The aim of the lockdown is to stop people mixing as much. The school have a duty to protect their staff as well as any children who attend. I know it’s not ideal for you but by keeping your DD at home if you can it’s minimising mixing for everyone.

@negomi90 that’s an excellent point.

Yes I've just checked the legalities of it, your LA must provide the support as set out in the EHC plan or they are liable. This applies even in the current situation. If you have no luck with the college, escalate to the council. Your priority should be on getting your son support not your daughter getting a school place.

Op, it’s the school your ds attends that you need to be contacting

Our school
Allows keyworker and vulnerable children. I think your DD falls under vulnerable category due to her her brother outbursts. I’d push this tangent with the school.