Unauthorised absences wtf are we supposed to do!

[dreamingbohemian]

Surely everyone knows that it's nearly impossible to get GP appointments these days. And surely everyone understands that sometimes your DC are too unwell to go to school but not unwell enough to get an emergency appointment.

But my DC's school are now saying any absence that doesn't have medical evidence will be unauthorised. They will only accept things you can get from a GP, like an appointment card or prescription.

So what are we meant to do??? We are finishing the year being this close to persistent absence, which doesn't seem fair. We can't help it if DC was ill a lot this year, but with routine bugs that a GP would never see him for or prescribe anything (including norovirus -- are we meant to send him in and spread it then?)

AIBU to think this makes no sense?

(not school bashing here, they say they are just following policy)

I have a full understanding of those conditions and how school schools can support absence for those children. They are not fined, or punished, or targeted.

But that doesn’t apply here. Because the kid doesn’t have an underlying condition that can lead to poor attendance. He has a parent who’s allowing him to miss a month of school a year and doesn’t see the issue with that.

I just ignore them

But you evidently don’t, you have already stated that ‘autism wouldn’t be an acceptable reason to miss school’. And you’ve been told with many examples (including from myself) how children with lifelong or chronic conditions are ‘targeted’ by threatening letters for a start. I still would like to know on what authority or experience you are basing your own views, or if you’re simply posting your own opinions based on personal beliefs.

Some years kids do miss more school than others, especially in the last couple of years post Covid. Post viral infections easily become difficult to fight off and can lead to other issues. We’ve also learned (or most of us should have) than sending a sick child into school will only cause a spread of illness, which leads to a collective of absences rather than have one child who may have missed a few more days than average. The only irresponsible parents here are the ones who think that little Timmy with the streaming green nose is fine to go to school. As long as he’s taken a vit D tablet of course….

@JenWillsiam There are several examples given by posters throughout this thread of their schools asking for evidence despite ongoing or chronic conditions (including TopGunMaverick and Mumofthreegirlies on the first page).

You are choosing not to listen. It does happen.

Some schools (including ours) ask for evidence for every day of illness. They also say they cannot use the I for illness code in the register without evidence. This is in direct contradiction to the gov guidelines that many people have already linked to on this thread:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1099677/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance.pdf

Because it’s not an acceptable reason to miss school. You can go to school with autism. Obviously.

Not one person has actually given an example of children being targeted. You say it happens but no actual solid examples. Just keep saying it happens whilst ignoring that it’s not relevant here anyway because the OPs child doesn’t have an underlying condition.

Do you know how persistent absence is defined? It’s when a child misses in excess of 10% of schooling due to multiple absences. It’s not a case of being ill once for a long time.

But people are telling you that they ARE being fined, punished and targeted when they children have documented conditions.

And, your interpretation of the OP’s situation is offensive. They clearly care their child has had a poor year in terms of health and are asking for advice on what to do re the school’s inflexibility on policy implementation.

Why can’t you take on board that people are having these experiences and are asking others for help in how to navigate a broken and contradictory system?

I have, at least twice. And it isn’t a claim- it’s a fact. I’ve told you it happens to my son. An actual physical chronic condition, diagnosed, medicated and managed by a consultant paediatrician along side various other doctors.

Yes, people have given examples. Check back over the thread. And no, people don’t have to state the medical conditions if they don’t want to- they are telling you that this has happened to them. But if you want a clear example look back at mumofthreegirlies post on page one.

And, yes, people are talking quite about two different issues that this policy doesn’t work for - the OP’s situation (a year of bad luck healtwise) and also chronic/ongoing medical conditions.

So, the point being this approach doesn’t work, is against Gov guidelines and is incredible stressful for parents who cannot avoid their children being off school in either of these scenarios.

Because it’s not an acceptable reason to miss school. You can go to school with autism. Obviously.

Thank you. Your absolute ignorance was already shining through but appreciate you putting it in black and white for all to see.

Not one person has actually given an example of children being targeted. You say it happens but no actual solid examples. Just keep saying it happens whilst ignoring that it’s not relevant here anyway because the OPs child doesn’t have an underlying condition.

I gave my experience where my son had miss school between reasons of illness and the school sending him home for ridiculous reasons relating to his SEN. I was sent a letter with threats of further investigation/fines. This is despite already speaking to the school about this concern, half of his absence was due to them feeling the need to send him home.

Do you know how persistent absence is defined? It’s when a child misses in excess of 10% of schooling due to multiple absences. It’s not a case of being ill once for a long time.

You do not understand how post illness works. You do not understand persistent absence in general. You have absolutely no understanding of nuance, you have posted little of value or experience here. You have been argumentative, ableist and just generally a rude know-it-all despite evidently knowing very little about the subject. You can carry on to your heart’s content but I would advise you’re coming away worse with every reply.

Parents of children with chronic conditions are absolutely not being fined. That’s completely untrue. Fines relate to unauthorised absence. Kids with unauthorised absences do not have chronic conditions. You’re making stuff up. And people here are not actually saying that. There isn’t a single person who’s given an example of a child with a chronic condition who’s been penalised, asked for evidence etc. attendance officers do not work with those families. Those families get access to services like ESMA.

My interpretation of the OPe situation is that their kid has missed over a month of schooling and they don’t see why that’s an issue. Their comments have clearly demonstrated that. And this isn’t even a small child with an under developed immune system. It’s a kid at secondary school. I’m not surprised the school is pursuing this as an issue. Because it is.

Are you suggesting you cannot go to school with autism? That it’s a genuine reason to be off? What are you basing that on?

I have not see your comment with your experience? Did you actually tag me? What page? I will go back and read it. If they’re sending him that would be an illegal exclusion if he’s not actually ill. You can screw them for that.

I won’t be responding to any points you make that involve personal attacks.

Ah, I’m making stuff up am I? Interesting. Perhaps read the thread as I’ve mentioned three times now - people have clearly stated examples.

Not sure what your agenda is for defending the policy. Have you had a look at the Gov guidelines that schools are going against?

Hopefully you are just bored and picking a fight rather than thinking you have a coherent argument here.

@JenWillsiam Here is someone giving an example of their situation with this policy.

You simply are deluding yourself that

1. you have full knowledge of ASC - which affects individuals in all sorts of variable ways
2. you know what happens in every school
3. that schools all do the same thing
4. that the problem is the absence (that’s merely a symptom)

This kind of arrogance causes so many problems. And it IS arrogance.

How is it that you think the school in the case of the OP is going against government guidelines?

Sorry I went to bed,

evidence? I don’t remember if we were asked for evidence of the physio itself, I doubt it

she had masses of time off in year 11 but the school could see there was an issue and were very good about it

my point was more that in year 9/10 on paper it looked like her attendance was dreadful when in reality it was still very good, it was just the way the school recorded the absence

1. I do have full knowledge of it and its impacts. It can increase risk of mental health issues which can be a reason to miss school. Autism itself - no.
2. I know nonsense when I read it.
3. I never said that.
4. absence can be a problem, and if you’re missing over a month of school it is. Support is needed. As is, arguably, medical investigation. Or parent training.

See funny that. Legitimate reason to be off and you weren’t pursued.

Are you suggesting you cannot go to school with autism? That it’s a genuine reason to be off? What are you basing that on?

Do you even know what autism is and how it affects children? It is not the simple fact they they have been diagnosed with the condition, it’s how it affects them on a daily basis. For example, how would you feel if your child came home and said ‘X bit me today, X threw all the books on the floor and screamed for an hour, X spent the whole day asleep in the corner, I couldn’t concentrate today because X kept screeching’. When I’ve noticed my children are facing a day of severe meltdowns, it’s not just them that needs the day to not be in a busy school environment that triggers their disabilities, it’s for the welfare of your kids as well.

It’s not just meltdowns, both my children don’t sleep and it has different effects. One will crash badly during the day and either have said severe meltdowns or simply fall asleep. The other becomes ill more often from inability to rest himself.

And of course there’s the previous examples I’ve given (I am not going back through this whole thread). My son was told not to come to school because his class were going on a trip and his ASD traits meant he couldn’t manage. Instead of having him in a different class (and I was the one saying he should be in school regardless to be clear) they told me to keep him home. They specifically stated that they believed due to his SEN this would be the most appropriate action. Never mind all the other calls to pick him up because he ‘wasn’t managing well today’.

My other son has about 70% overall school attendance. About 95% of his ‘missed attendance’ is because he’s been on a reduced timetable. Because (here’s a shocker for you) he’s autistic and can’t go to school all the time.

Apologies if this has already been advised, big medical evidence doesn’t have to be for each individual absence. So for my DC with bad asthma, I simply took in a print out of the GP patient summary showing their asthma diagnosis and their medications for it. That then covered every absence they had due to asthma. The same with my DC who had anxiety/anorexia- I took in a letter from CAMHS and that then covered every absence they had. I simply wrote an absence note for each day saying ‘due to their asthma/anxiety/anorexia’ they’d not be in school or leaving early or late due to a dr appointment. The dr offices can always print off a list of appointments if you need more evidence.

I'm still waiting for you to explain what the specific issue is in my case. Asked yesterday, no answer.

As you seem to struggle with reading comprehension (eg demanding examples that people have already given) I will say again, my son is in first sets for everything, his teachers say he's doing great and they have no complaints, and he is not a burden on teachers because he's able to catch up online and we help him.

So what is the issue?

I don't think it's ideal but there is nothing we can do about it, and I'm not seeing any terrible impact that justifies being threatened with a fine.

It is very clear.

OP: “But my DC's school are now saying any absence that doesn't have medical evidence will be unauthorised. They will only accept things you can get from a GP, like an appointment card or prescription.”

Guidelines:
“Code I: Illness (not medical or dental appointment)

219. Schools should advise parents to notify them on the first day the child is unable to attend due to illness. Schools must record absences as authorised where pupils cannot attend due to illness (both physical and mental health related).

220. In the majority of cases a parent’s notification that their child is ill can be accepted without question or concern. Schools should not routinely request that parents provide medical evidence to support illness. Schools are advised not to request medical evidence unnecessarily as it places additional pressure on health professionals, their staff and their appointments system particularly if the illness is one that does not require treatment by a health professional. Only where the school has a genuine and reasonable doubt about the authenticity of the illness should medical evidence be requested to support the absence.

My point was the way absence was recorded

please do not use me as a gotcha, that school at that particular time were good with us, they were the ones who sent her home for the vast majority of the time

My kids doing well so it doesn’t matter is precisely why you’re being targeted.

So you have no answer. Got it.