Aibu to worry about the schools bill

[LivingOnAPear]

I’m surprised there’s not more chat about this on mumsnet. I’m a parent of an autistic child and I’m really worried about our rights as parents being eroded.

www.independent.co.uk/voices/schools-bill-nadhim-zahawi-attendance-send-b2121255.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3U0ovevI6-E6MLKpRb0uN-TLnf987Z4JyxKmrJL3FKx-om1jIMYRgLVo8#Echobox=1657630821

Agree OP. I have already signed the petition and written to my MP (no response yet). DD has autism and school based anxiety that triggers migraines. She is on a very reduced timetable in y10. We homeschooled in years 4&5 because of her anxiety. She has been medicated since age 8. We have been doing as best we can, with little support, for years. We would LOVE to be able to get her into school next year so she stands a chance at getting decent GCSEs. Criminalising us will likely increase her anxiety and make her attendance worse. She is already worried about the affect her autism and anxiety affects the family, although we do reassure her. This bill risks setting her back even further

Its Criminal what the schools bill is proposing and the more awareness raised amongst parents the better. it affects every single one of us. Pay attention, because if they get their way we as parents will have no rights at all over our Children. The Government will own our kids. time for people to wake up to whats happening, and also wake up to what they are teaching our children in schools with the sex ed. disgusting.

The research you’re referring to by Honorary Fellow Rona Epstein found that 9 out of 10 custodial sentences for truancy were mothers / women.

If you visit Square Peg’s website news section, this research is quoted in a submission to the DfE on the attendance consultation. Part 3 of the Schools Bill is all about attendance. 😔

Yes, exactly right. And at the moment the Bill isn’t worded well at all, and is incredibly vague with it.

Apologies. I assumed everyone on Mumsnet was a Mum?
Completely agree it requires everyone coming together. Schools are finding it really hard too. And support services.

As a parent with three dc with (very different) additional needs I’m thankful that my youngest is 16. They have never been close to getting it right for every child but this is definitely going in the wrong direction.

It’s absolutely worrying, for all parents, but particularly those who choose to home educate and those who’s children have additional needs. The fact it paints HE as a safeguarding issue when there is zero evidence to support this, it’s all about demonising parents and removing choice. If the school system worked perfectly for all that’d be one thing but it doesn’t even work for most kids, and there’s no appetite for real evidence based reform. The Schools Bill benefits no one but the government who want greater power

It is really worrying. My ASD DS who is 12 has been struggling with attending school in recent months and begging to be home educated. It hurts to see him so distressed and it's negatively affected the family as a whole.

DH and I have discussed HE endlessly, and it will be a challenge but we are in a position to do so as I am a SAHM. If the bill passes, when would it realistically kick in? Wondering if it would be best to deregister asap after the summer holidays.