School absence Scotland

[user1485198606]

My 7 year old has bad attendance and I've been called into a meeting next week at school, she also has anxiety and cries every day going in. She says the work is too hard. I experience anxiety and depression and have much to my dismay let things slip. I know I need to get back on track ASAP. I'm terrified the school will involve social services and she'll be taken away does anyone have any experience should I tell them I'm struggling I do t know what. To do. 😭

There's almost no chance that she would be removed from your care if low attendance is the only issue.

However, school may want to involve 'Early Help' or the Scottish equivalent if they feel that your anxiety and depression is negatively impacting on your child. In England, Early Help is part of social services and is brought in at an early stage to support families to make changes, for the benefit of the child/ren.

What percentage is your child's attendance?

I'm not sure to be honest she was off a week in January with norovirus and a few days here and there of sickness this year

It might be different in Scotland, but in England an attendance rate of something like 96% is expected.

have you had letter asking you to attend a meeting? That should have your daughter’s percentage attendance in it.

If not, it sounds like it could be more of a welfare meeting. Your daughter is struggling in the mornings, her attendance is dropping, school has a duty of care to talk to you.

Are you being supported by the GP with your own anxiety and depression?

You absolutely should tell them that you are struggling.

I am being supported by my GP. I phoned the school myself go ask to speak to them to see what they think is going on in regards to her crying and not wanting to go. It was a phonecall to ask me in for a meeting.

Thank you I think so too.

In which case, it's absolutely just a well-being meeting. There is no chance they will be phoning social services (unless they feel your child is at immediate risk of harm, which it doesn't sound like she is).

Great that your GP is supporting you.

Good luck in the meeting.

Thank you so much

They will be trying to help you get back on track. School anxiety and refusal is complicated and it's not the same for every child affected but one thing you can do is be positive about education and schooling, it comes across as you are worrying too. If she is missing more than one day a month (unless it all for a specific reason) it will trigger a meeting to help you

I live in Scotland and I am currently dealing with my son refusing to go to school. He is 12 and has just started S1.
In my experience, social work do not get involved unless there is a safeguarding issue. The school should look at ways to work with you and your child so they can receive the correct support.

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. I had the meeting yesterday and it went really well the school was very supportive and we have a plan in place moving forward.