What did your DC's school do if you couldn't get your DC to school as you are too unwell?

[UndertheCedartree]

Just posting here for traffic.

If you are a single parent and have been in a situation that you were still ill to get your DC to school what did school do? I will probably be in this situation next week. This happened once prior to Covid and some of the pastoral care teachers came and picked my DD up. It happened once recently and they suggested she stay at home and do online learning. That was fine as I had twisted my ankle and couldn't put any weight on it but I could help with online learning. However this time I have Covid and will not be able to do online learning with her.

@MichelleScarn

I'm still bed bound. It's touch and go if the DC will be able to go anyway there is the possibility it could be for quite a long time.

How long have you been been bedbound and how you managing continence and shopping/meals etc? Do you mean actually 'bedbound' or you feel really shitty and spending most time in bed? Is she an only as you've said 'the dc'.

Yeah, I don't literally mean 'bedbound' - I can get out of bed but I'm so dizzy - it is only to crawl to the toilet. Of course with Covid - no shopping. The DC (I have 2) made themselves some food the day before yesterday and I got them a takeaway yesterday - this was the first days they had an appetite. My 14 yo does look after his sister really well but has ASD and is at college. He can't take/pick her up from school.

@RestingStitchFace

No expectation that we had to do online learning when we had Covid. DS was asymptomatic but DH and I were ill and it was fully recognised we would not be able to support learning. DS basically just lolled in his onesie and watched CBeebies whilst DH and I took it in turns to sleep.

The online learning is so full on I struggled outside of Covid.

Op can you talk to SS about temporary Foster care? You're anticipating them being out of school for months with you unable to provide any educational or physical support as you're bed bound and mentally not fit enough to help.

@Neurodiversitydoctor

Could the 9yo walk the presumably familiar route alone ? Ask a kind neighbour ? Or as others have said failling all else a taxi ? Come on OP where there is a will..

I know...and I am usually such a fighter. But I've thought and thought..but just can't find a solution. I'm not sure I feel ok her walking 20 min alone all in one go. I'm not sure they will let her out of school alone. But as soon as I feel better I will try to build her up to this. I was thinking if I was well enough to walk half she could do the rest. I can't unfortunately afford taxis. Anyway, the point is school will get involved as soon as they know I'm ill I just wanted to know what other schools have done since Covid.

@HelenaJustina

It’s impossible for anyone to answer. It will vary so wildly from school to school. My primary would not have the staffing resources to pick a child up (and I’d imagine staffing will be even more under pressure in the New Year). We would expect the parent to be responsible for getting their child into school by asking other parents/taxis etc. Just like you are responsible for not neglecting them on other ways!

Just because you are responsible it doesn't mean society doesn't support vulnerable families, though does it?

But again, what did you do last time you had Covid?

Was she off school for three months??

You've mentioned at least three times (sickness bug, twisted ankle and Covid) when you couldn't get her to school or help with online learning. At 9, that is a LOT of time off and she is going to fall behind.

Who's looking after your children now?!

@SleepingStandingUp

Op can you talk to SS about temporary Foster care? You're anticipating them being out of school for months with you unable to provide any educational or physical support as you're bed bound and mentally not fit enough to help.

Social Services would definitely not consider this. It would be far too disruptive for my DC. I'm not anticipating my DD being out of school for months. I mentioned how long I had Covid last time. I badly hope it won't be that long this time. I mentioned I may need help getting her to school for quite a long time (i.e more than a day or 2) but obviously I didn't know yet. Eldest will be at college, throughout.

@velvetpeach

But again, what did you do last time you had Covid?

Was she off school for three months??

You've mentioned at least three times (sickness bug, twisted ankle and Covid) when you couldn't get her to school or help with online learning. At 9, that is a LOT of time off and she is going to fall behind.

Who's looking after your children now?!

I wasn't caring for her then. (Sorry it is all quite complicated so I'm writing what I can but too tired to write the whole lot).

Anyway, sickness bug - she was picked up and missed no school
Twisted ankle - she stayed home one day and did the online work

So she missed 1 day and did online learning - her attendance is fine.

What happened with her last time you were unwell for 15 months?

@sparepantsandtoothbrush

What happened with her last time you were unwell for 15 months?

When I had Long Covid I was able to take her to school.

@Excitedforthefuture - no, not a recent single parent.

@sweetbellyhigh - thank you you explain it so well and sound lovely.

@Neurodiversitydoctor

Worst case you phone the office at start of play Tuesday morning and explain the issues- see what comes up. If you are too unwell to set a 9yo up with a bit of online learning you need medical attention.

I am getting medical attention, thank you. Unfortunately, I can't just set her up she needs continuous support.

@OrangeBlossomsinthesun

If you have Covid and she's primary (and therefore I assume unvaccinated) surely she isn't allowed at school anyway as she has to isolate as a close contact? That's how it works in my country anyway.

She has Covid. Once she has a negative test she can go back to school.

@RedCandyApple

Nothing, they told me to keep them at home

Pre covid I don't remember it ever happening at my school. I'd imagine parents may have sorted it between themselves or just kept them off, citing their child was I'll perhaps.

During covid we state the child can stay home, marked as authorised absence. If it's because a household member has covid we add them to the remote learning list and send work home via the learning platform.

I work in an infant school so no children can make their own way into school.
When it's a covid related household absence, tbh, we'd often rather the child wasn't in anyway.

@storminabuttercup

Is there more to this? You have a 9 year old who you won't be able to help with online learning, how are you meeting their basic needs, food etc? It sounds like the school run is the least of your problems.

We have food in. They also have a 14 yo brother.

We don't chase up the remote learning, so it's pretty much optional. We'd definitely encourage some reading and a bit of writing.

@ReceptionTA

As you have Covid, they'll probably as you to keep your DD at home.

Unless you live very close to the school I can't see how school staff could collect/drop off DC without it impacting on their own working day.

OP, as you're a single parent I suggest you work really hard on forming a network of people who are willing and able to care for your DC in emergencies, and can drop her off at school. I know it's not the easiest thing to do, and takes time and commitment, but it would be so much less stressful to know you have someone willing to drop your DD at school/home if necessary.

As I already said this is part of their work and I'm sure they are expert at managing their day! Yes, it would be less stressful. I'm not sure where to start really. Most don't seem to live this way let alone anyone in her class or year.

God this is such hard work to read. You're just arguing with every suggestion. It's not ok for a 9 year old and 14 year old to just be cracking on with everything whilst you lie in bed supposedly really ill but on your phone for ages (and other children? Not sure how many you have there) What do you hope to get out of this thread?

@Abraxan

We don't chase up the remote learning, so it's pretty much optional. We'd definitely encourage some reading and a bit of writing.

Thank you for the information

@SpellBounds

God this is such hard work to read. You're just arguing with every suggestion. It's not ok for a 9 year old and 14 year old to just be cracking on with everything whilst you lie in bed supposedly really ill but on your phone for ages (and other children? Not sure how many you have there) What do you hope to get out of this thread?

I'm getting really helpful information from those that actually understand the situation. People like you just want to argue. You may think you know best about my situation but you really, really don't. Often those who live such sheltered lives think they do.

Anyway, the point is school will get involved as soon as they know I'm

If you’re sure of that, there’s no problem then.

ill I just wanted to know what other schools have done since Covid.

I think your case is very particular. What you’re asking if what support schools might offer families who are under social care?

So the oldest is 16+, and presumably Covid negative. College will absolutely understand if he (I think you said DS) is a bit late because his Mum has Covid and he needs to take his younger sister to school. You also mention a breakfast club, perhaps he could drop her to that ? If he walks her the first day or so maybe she could then do it herself ?

@AngelinaFibres - it's annoying noone has to go past my house!

@Hb12

If you know they can collect her, then why the question?

Exactly!