School coming to home to view sick child - Normal?

[CandlelightGlow]

I'm feeling really sensitive right now due to work stress so please be kind.

My 5 year old is off with chicken pox right now. He got the spots on Sunday, he's been quite poorly with it Monday - Tuesday, very sleepy, then very uncomfortable Weds waiting for the scabs to form. He's just started to feel better today but the school have an INSET day tomorrow anyway.

We just had a knock at the door, and it was a teacher from DS's school! He was very reluctant to come downstairs because he's only in his pants and thought the teacher was there to take him to school. She was very nice and said it's sad that they have to do this in this day and age but it's completely normal and they do it for everyone who's been off this length of time.

He's been off for 4 days? His older sister is at school so we've still done the school run every day. To be fair as it's an inset day tomorrow it will be over a week by the time he goes back on Monday. But I've never had a teacher come unannounced to our house to check on our child. Can someone reassure me it is actually normal and they don't think something bad of us! My poor boy is just ill. I've called him in and updated, updated again this morning saying he would be back on Monday!

The school has made the decision that it fits their policy to do a welfare call, a call that could have easily been avoided probably if the two parents had just been in touch to report the absences

Assuming that neither parent had called, the school could have phoned first. If it didn't receive a response, it could then have dropped round to the house (I guess). But demanding to see a child who is sick in bed? That is way beyond what was needed in this situation. Parent says child has chicken pox - school accepts that and moves on - it will be obvious when the child returns anyway as they will probably still have a few spots. Persistent low level lateness is hardly a safeguarding issue - you only have to read all the posts on here where MNers routinely justify their inability to be on time for anything. It's hardly a safeguarding issue, although annoying and inconsiderate and usually avoidable.

Of course a welfare check needs to actually see the child in question!

lieselotte
Persistent lateness is classed as a safeguarding concern though.That doesn't mean every child who is late is being harmed, but it is something we have to look for.

I think a lot of people think safeguarding is about what happens when a child discloses abuse/neglect/harm, or what happens when staff notice bruises or injuries, but it's not just that. Children don't always disclose.

Often it's about different members of staff or different professionals noticing different things.

One person might notice a pattern in attendance or lateness & report it, another person notices that the child seems unusually withdrawn or emotional at times so reports it, several weeks later a member of lunch staff overhears the child saying they don't like it when mums new partner comes to visit so reports it. None of those members of staff know what the others have noticed, but the DSL will have the information and seek professional advice from relevant agencies about what to do. It could be that the child is finding the introduction of a new partner quite difficult and there's nothing more to it, or it could be that the child is experiencing harm, but the decision on what to do comes from further up, not individual teachers.

This wasn’t a teacher

this person was the school pastoral care worker

I am inclined to trust that she knew the law, the school’s policy and her own experience when she turned up at the OP’s house. Added to which, she would have liaised with the child’s teacher and the HT would also have been advised.

So a professional, a teacher and a HT would all have been supportive of this visit.

Unlikely to hear why from the Op

The good news is that at least it seems now the Op will make more of an effort not to be regularly late.

When staff came to my house recently my DD was in her room and I didn't want her to come down to a cold doorstep so she just waved at the staff from the window.

Never heard of this happening.

Hi I am sorry this is late
However. My daughter had the same for my grandaughter who had scarlet fever. I actually hit the roof as this upset my daughter.
I thought I have never heard of this . So I spoke to my friend Google.
The first thing that came up was .about ECHR. and parents have the right to refuse a home visit.
They have "reasons" which are . Child absent for no reason.
School can't contact parent or guardian.
Or The school has received a concerning report.
I am sorry but I totally disagree with this invasion of privacy. A mum ( or dad ) has enough on their plate with looking after a sick kid.as well as normal stuff. To feel accused of being improper. To me is really the last straw.
IF there is true reason for concern IE: Childs safety or welfare ? The social services or even police should be called. .
Please excuse my indignance.
I was a single parent when men just "were not ". Or definitely not common practice. I had to fight in many ways as it was general common thoughts that "A man cannot be a single parent it has to be.a woman"
I swear I couldn't take my baby daughter into mother care mothers room to change her bum when she was changing onto solid food and had stingy pooh. ( as many will know on here )
I had to fight to get use of disabled toilets to again change her nappy. When. I was told by toilet attendant to take her in men's.... I saw manager. Fixed.
Getting on a bus ? Women would watch me getting all our shopping buggy and baby on a bus stone. No "Can I help you " ( as I would allways offer ). Some old lady said "give me the baby son ".
I am sorry I digress. But my point I'd not everything is visible on surface.
It is said as we have often heard. "One is innocent until proven guilty".
So I think it's wrong if you say "my child is sick" That should be taken as fact unless or until proven otherwise.
My daughter goes drs and gets a stamp when child off sick . WHAT THE HELL as if she doesn't have enough to do.
Ladies ( and any gentlemen). I am onside and I will fight this with all my ability .
So please . STAND YOUR CORNER. DO NOT ACCEPT THESE UNANNOUNCED VISITS.
If you wish to play their game. When you get child diagnosed (if you do). Ask Dr "How long should I keep off school"? And ask for a supporting note .
If your child wakes up eith sickness and dioreah ? What is school rules ??? Keep child off for 3 days.
So I think it's a It's a good for all. Not wats good for one not good for another.
Kindly
Adrian

Processes like this exist not based on any judgement of particular family/parent/child, they are there knowing that an overzealous policy stands a better chance at spotting an issue.

They are willing to accept that it means a slightly bonkers level of scrutiny of normal absences, in order to give a better chance at identifying the kid kept off because:

• the family have gone on holiday
• the child is well but school refusing
• the kid has been abused/neglected

Holymargarita. There is no way I would let a random teacher into my house. Social services, sure, police, sure, some dude from school. NO. It's seriously beyond my understanding as a non-UK resident.

I am definitely happy to accept that, but if it's not routine I can't help but feel bad that they would consider me the kind of home where my children would be in trouble.

I can understand that you are taking this as some slight on your parenting but it really isn’t. I suspect that without the lateness this probably wouldn’t have been an issue. Late is late and even if it’s a few minutes it’s still late. The other kids coming in just as you’re leaving could have had their lateness authorised or they would be getting a visit too.

Sadly this kind of check is unusual purely because most schools don’t have the resources or it isn’t a priority, your children’s school has and does. As another mentioned upthread, something might has happened in your children’s school in the past and now they super vigilant.

Use this experience to work on your child being in school on time.

I know this is an old thread but can't hurt anyone seeing it. This is standard process at most schools and it's a good thing. We had it when DD was off for 4 days. It's on the 4th day it kicks in and I don't think they expect much. DD was in bed sleeping, DP was on a call and I was out working so we didn't answer the door. I called the school and explained. I said I was going to pop in to show them the evidence of me contacting a doctor, evidence of her sickness and that was enough for them.

I likely wouldn't have let them in had I been there as I would have been working and if she's sick I may not be keeping up with the cleaning to a high enough standard for people to see. I think they would have been ok with that.

I have been a primary teacher for 20 years and never have I heard of such a thing. I am in Scotland though, England seems obsessed with attendance from the stories on here!

I have been a primary teacher for 20 years and never have I heard of such a thing. I am in Scotland though, England seems obsessed with attendance from the stories on here!

I'm also in Scotland and having read so many batshit stories about English school 'rules' I wouldn't even put mine in to the system.

Yes it is normal nowadays I think they do it to everyone of they have been off 4-5 days. Its since the government are going crazy over attendance. My son was sick so I rang the school and said he will be off for the next 2 day (as the rule of keeping them off 48 hours since they were last sick) and they tried telling me to bring him in the next day, I said no I won't be bringing him in.

Also, how does the teacher/staff member actually know if the child is sick? They aren't doctors. Super weird system. If they are genuinely worried about the child surely that an issue for social services ? I'm still in shock that parents get fined if you take your kids on holidays during term time for and kids have to carry a blazer around all day. We are a bit less uptight about school rules where I live.

It's not just to check if the child's sick - which would be easy to see. More that you aren't abusing/haven't killed them. Kids with low attendance or regularly pulled out of school are a risk and it is a sign that something could be happening. The school and authorities have a duty of care.

Teachers etc seem to be the first to be blamed when kids are abused or worse but then we think it's odd they check!

And teacher/school already has a relationship with social services would be instructed on the basis of this visit. If sending a teacher seems extreme, sending SS is more so. Plus they wouldn't have the resource.