Today my DD had an ASD assessment and she was diagnosed with Autism. She was in school before the appointment and again after even though she was tired and upset because I thought I better send her back in because of her attendance. She has been at this school since a few weeks before Christmas and has had 5 days off. 3 for a heavy cold with a fever in her second week and 2 as she had D&V last week. She has severe anxiety and struggles every morning with the transition to school but apart from when she was ill she's gone in every day. She was in every day this week.
I got home from picking her up from school and checked my emails. I had an email from the attendance officer. Telling me that she may not authorise absences without medical evidence. All sorts of nonsense about 'support' and a 'plan' which amounted to - DD must have 97% attendance over the next 6 weeks and the threat about not authorising absences. Oh and she also reminded me that term time holidays can only be authorised in exceptional circumstances! I've not asked for a term time holiday!!
It honestly made me so angry. Every morning is a battle. It is so hard, I sometimes have to literally prize her fingers off me. She tries so hard and does so well, but instead of a well done we get this! It was just the kick in the teeth I didn't need today.
I replied that sending me this on the day of her assessment was nicely timed. I told her how hard it is for DD and me but I've got her in every morning except when she was unwell. I told her it was her choice not to authorise absence but as a nurse I knew how irresponsible it would be of me to send her in with a fever or D&V and equally how irresponsible to take her to the GP in these circumstances for 'medical evidence'. I also said I could see nothing about support or a plan only a threat and although I have worked very happily with school staff to support my DD I would not be threatened.
I wouldn't have minded if she'd emailed to see if she could support us. But it was just judgement and certainty not an email that encourages me to want to work with her on Dd's attendance!