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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

schizophrenic nanny

80 replies

teobaldo · 27/04/2012 23:10

I was looking for a temp nanny to look after my dd who is 1 for one day a week and for my son when he comes back from school (he is 5). I called a nanny agency to have more guarantess. They sent me two women, the one I preferred mentioned that she is on antidepressant medications, I kind of panicked but talked to the agency that assured me that she is a wonderful person, really good with the other girl she is looking after. She told me that the other family has asked to look a letter from the doctor and that perhaps I could ask her as well ( given that I felt it was rude to ask for the reasons of the medications. Anyway to cut a long story short she came to show me the letter, which said she was actually schizophrenic but stable with medications and ok to look for work ( did not mention children though) This woman is lovely, so one side of me feels I should not discriminate her the other just think after all my responsability is towards my children.... Any advise ? I am actually quite annoyed with the agency. Does anyone know if legally is it possible for a schizophrenic on medications to work with children ?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

lisad123 · 27/04/2012 23:12

Why would it not be legal. She has an illness, she is medicated and stable. She is also lovely from what you have said.
No wonder there is a need for those stupid mh ads on radio

DowagersHump · 27/04/2012 23:15

And this is precisely why I never say on job applications that I've been on ADs :(

LoopyLoopsTootTootToots · 27/04/2012 23:15

What? Really?

Rubirosa · 27/04/2012 23:16

Maybe ask for a letter from her doctor stating her fitness for working with children if you are concerned?

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 27/04/2012 23:17

OMG

Wait for it....

My very first

lisad123 · 27/04/2012 23:18

People have very narrow views on mental illness and most are too scarced by it a person with mental illness is more likely to cause harm to themselves or be harmed by someone else than to harm anyone.

Rubirosa · 27/04/2012 23:19

I think it is fine for an employer to want to know how a medical condition affects an employee's fitness to do their job, especially in a job that has as little supervision as nannying. I work in a nursery and anyone who is off sick for a period etc has to see occupational health.

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 27/04/2012 23:21

I take it you don't know much about schizophrenia.

It's not illegal for people with schizophrenia to work with children.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 27/04/2012 23:25

Many people suffer with mental illness many undiagnosed so in a way as she's had her diagnosis is treated, medicated and under drs guidance I'd say That she could possibly be more stable than many others out there. She's been honest and she sounds like she is totally prepared for you to check out her condition and has nothing to hide. Maybe that's y she chose to work with kids, as they will accept her for who she is and not ask questions. It's probably a second chance for her. If u have a good feeling about her then go for it that gut feeling is more Valuable than what's on paper and it sounds like you reAlly like her :)

bringbacksideburns · 27/04/2012 23:26

If you have any issue with her it should be with her work not the fact she is schizophrenic.

If she is stable and lovely then that should be enough.

My brother is the same, he is at uni and sits on a mental health panel, drives a car and is the most gentle, considerate person. I would trust him with my life.

I would say many people with schitzophrenia recover and go on to lead normal lives - it's the media that highlights the small percentage that don't.

tazzle · 27/04/2012 23:29

well I can understand your caution / reaction if the only time you have seen / heard anything about schizophrenia is on the tv and in newspapers. This tends to show extremes and dramatisations and a rather negative portrayal ( would be boring tv otherwise ..... same with anyone depressed. You may also see posts on here from people who are / think they are mentlaly ill and thinking very dark thoughts and calling for help....... again this might be affecting your thoughts about whether anyone with a mental illness is suited to look after your children.

The thing is that many people with mental illness especially once medicated / treated if required and stable can hold down very responsible jobs as well as be great parents etc. Most people with mental illness are more risk to themselves than to others.

MY DH and myself have both had AD's and our DC are fine

Original poster

teobaldo · 27/04/2012 23:30

Thanks for responses, I did not want to offend anyone and obviously yes I do not know much about schizophrenia and what I looked up on the computer in relation to jobs, was mentioning that need non stressfull jobs (and I think looking after a 1 year old can be stressfull, if you have not got much experience) I also read that the medications can affect concentration and that worried me as well. My daughter is 1 she does not speak and she just started to walk and will be all day by herslef with her. So I think it is normal to want to know more. Hearts Trumps Diamonds I am not english so do not know what OMG wait for it and my very first (sign ) means can you explain please ?

OP posts:

littlewillows · 27/04/2012 23:31

OMG, She is going to be a nanny, largely unsupervised. I know with medication she is stable and wouldn,t harm the children but I would have
concerns.

catsareevil · 27/04/2012 23:32

Why would it not be legal for a person with schizophrenia to work with children?

There is information out there if you want to know more about this condition. You are right that you should not discriminate against her.

Schizophrenia doesnt = violence

tazzle · 27/04/2012 23:33

oops meant the tc boring if no dramatisations not that it needs to be negative portrayal to be not boring .... flippine eck I must get to check before pressing button .... or not post this late a t night

lisad123 · 27/04/2012 23:36

Well why don't you talk to her about it. Explain that you know she has an illness and would like to understand more about how this might effect her work and anything you need to do to make it possible to work it out. Let her know you are concerned and your knowledge is limited.

BlueyDragon · 27/04/2012 23:38

Give the OP some credit here, she's asking the question not simply turning the potential employee down.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 27/04/2012 23:39

FGS people - it's a reasonable question, put forward on a parenting site asking for help and advice. Why not try answering the question instead of just being rude and unhelpful. The OP asked nicely, she didn't say anything derogatory - try showing the same courtesy.

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 27/04/2012 23:39

Obviously this doesn't apply to the few posters who did answer helpfully & politely :)

Heyyyho · 27/04/2012 23:40

I think Your concerns are perfectly understandable. What do her current previous employers say about her and has she looked after this age group before. It can indeed be very stressful and a vulnerable age where they can't tell you how they feel.

This is your child and you obviously need to feel really comfortable and content in whom you are leaving her in the care of.

I think from what you say she sounds lovely. I would do a more thorough reference check. Good luck.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 27/04/2012 23:42

Sorry Teobaldo I am in a bad mood tonight after a fight with DH earlier. It was basically quite a rude way of disagreeing with your post.

Other posters have expressed their opinions much more thoughtfully and I should have taken the time to do the same.

People with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar and clinical depression, if under the care of their doctor and taking their medication, are no different to anyone else. They can and will be stable for years and years, and unless they disclose their condition to you (as your nanny has done, openly and honestly) most of the time I would argue you wouldn't even know they had MH issues.

catsareevil · 27/04/2012 23:42

She wondered if it might not be legal for someone who has schizophrenia to work with children. It says a lot about the level of stigma that people with mental health diagnosis are subject to that anyone is saying that that isnt derogatory.

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 27/04/2012 23:45

Chipping my apologies to you too for being a rude cow up there^

I don't usually respond like that, I am a bit tbh.

MayaAngelCool · 27/04/2012 23:52

As long as she takes her medicine according to her doctors' instructions she should be fine. If her dose changes, she may take a few weeks to settle into it, and you'd have to ask her what that means in terms of fitness to do the job.

If she changes her dose against her doctors' instructions, that could cause real problems.

As long as she has good references, I'd say go with her and just keep an eye on how she is from time to time.

Angelico · 28/04/2012 00:02

Fair enough question OP. I used to work with people who had schizophrenia and as long as they are on good meds and taking them a lot of people manage brilliantly. I would say though that some people with schizophrenia don't do well with stress - just as some people without MH problems don't cope as well with stress as others. It would help your nanny if your routine is fairly regular to begin with anyway.

Depending on her meds she may also need to have appts with the Community Psych nurse (CPN) - usually just to get bloods done but that's only with certain meds, think Clozapine mainly? And CPN could probably come to your house. You need to have an honest chat with her and find out what her needs are but please keep an open mind and don't be afraid. The girl I 'keyworked' was so like me (down to Uni, course, places we'd travelled) that it was totally humbling - it really is a "There but for the grace of God go any of us" situation.

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