AIBU to question school about safeguarding

[thesurreymum]

DC is in infant school, a child in the class has ADHD. Their parent has been quite vocal on the class WhatsApp about the child's behaviour and diagnosis. From what I've seen and heard the child's behaviour has been disruptive at school but I believe now child is medicated behaviour at school is better.

Speaking to the parent recently, they disclosed that at home things have been bad and that the child threatened the family with a knife, police was called etc. The infant school is small one form entry and I'm concerned if they are this violent at home and threatening to use a knife then whose to say what they would do at school. The child often walks themselves to school so could easily sneak something in.

I feel concerned for my child's safety however no incidents have happened so therefore I suppose there's nothing the school can do and I'm sure for confidentiality purposes they won't talk to me about another child.

Can I/should I do anything about this?

I would report it from a. Safeguarding point of view but sxhool will already have been notified if police were called to family home.

I would also be concerned about an infant with ADHD walking themselves to school...

I'm sure school are aware of the incident and are certainly aware of the child walking to school themself. Selfishly I'm not wanting to report it as I know that they will be aware but more that I want assurances that my DC is safe

School are automatically notified if police are called to a child's home due to a domestic violence incident. This should be counted as one, but as it's unusual there is a chance it may not have.

You could check that the school know, but they probably do.

In terms of your child's safety, of the child's behaviour in school has improved on medication, this is really positive for him and peers. But as ADHD meds are short-acting, he is unmedicated before breakfast and in the evening. Therefore challenging incidents may be more likely at these times. He may be a danger at home, but it doesn't track that he'll be a danger at school.

Personally, I think I would start by talking to the class teacher. They will only be able to talk in general terms of course, but you might be reassured. I would also be concerned about him walking himself to school- that's seems to be the current most important safeguarding issue....

I'm guessing you aren't in the UK op, and by infant you mean primary school? (And therefore the report to the school may not be automatic) What age is the child?

Uk has infant schools (our local primary has an infants school and a junior school)

If the school already know what do you hope to gain from this op?

edited to say sorry I’m being dumb . Our infant school is years reception to 3 - I can’t see a year 3 walking to school on their own!

Plenty of UK primary schools have a separate infants and juniors.

Yes we are in the UK, the child is year 2. I suppose I just want assurance that my child is safe at school giving what I know. However as no incidents have happened at school that I'm aware of that would cause wider concern to other children then I suppose I can't really say anything

I think you can say something, speak to the class teacher or Designated Safeguarding Lead, they should be able to reassure you.

I am shocked that a school would allow a child to walk to school themselves. However, there's not much they can do about that, they can only refuse to allow child to leave without an adult. With regards to your concerns I would make the class teacher aware but as others have said, they probably already are.

I work in a unit for SEND children and before that a SEND school where we had a lot of safeguarding issues.

If someone reported to us that a child could potentially bring a knife or weapon in to school we would definitely check their bag.

As this is a big accusation it’s very possible it would involve talking to the parents, SS and perhaps police.

If a child is resorting to using a weapon at home then they will easily do the same in school but thankfully there should be nothing too dangerous at school.

I would let the school know but explain that you are worried that the parent will know it’s from you but you just want them to keep an eye on things discreetly.
I would also encourage mum to speak to school and get their support.

I'm a primary teacher, and I'm shocked a child in Y2 is allowed to walk to school on their own. Only Y5 and Y6 are allowed to walk to school on their own at my school, and a Y2 walking by themselves would be reported as a safeguarding concern. For this alone I'd be contacting the safeguarding lead.

School are aware, they stand on the gate in the morning and see the child come in on their own. Social Services are involved with the family, I know this as the parent openly talks about it to everyone.

The school can’t guarantee you that there will never be an incident between this child and yours, but they can’t guarantee that about any other child either. Same as they can’t promise that you child will never break a bone. It’s a school and things happen. Safeguarding does not mean that all negative playground behaviour can be eliminated.