Head teacher visiting all the children

[elliejjtiny]

Head teacher has announced on the school website that he is coming to visit all the children in their homes this week. We're not shielding but DH and I, ds3, ds4 and ds5 are on the vulnerable list. Ds5 really doesn't get social distancing (he has autism and global development delay) and will probably try and hug the head teacher given half a chance.

I'm quite worried about this, I really don't think it's safe for the head teacher to go and visit all the children. I don't think this is optional though.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

But mainly, I think it’s a fking outrage. Maybe you should take a look at your user name!!

[DateandTime]

Yes, as a HT you could try using that as a defence after a tragedy Aldi but there'd be plenty of finger pointing, not to mention the personal trauma of thinking you could/should have done "something".

Homeschooled children aren't this HT's personal responsibility.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Homeschooled children don’t have visits. Yes, they do, or can. It is down to the LA... not compulsory but considered good practice.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

He must have concerns if he’s decided to do that. Perhaps there are some children who have fallen off the radar completely and he wants to see they are well with his own eyes.

[pfrench]

What the hell is wrong with you people? Call the police on him? Are you mad?

It's a safeguarding thing, he's checking the kids are ok. This is a good thing. Does he say he wants to come in for a cup of tea? I doubt it, he just wants to see children, as is his responsibility for their safeguarding. If you dont want a visit, just say so. But it would make me wonder what issue you have with a person who is responsible for your children's safety 6 hours a day, standing in your driveway and saying hi.

If he wasn't doing this, give it a week and you'd all be moaning how the school were doing nothing. You people are toxic, all winding yourselves up. Go for your government sanctioned walk, or continue curtain twitching in case next door goes out twice so you can dob them in.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I think about 10% of the vulnerable children (those with social workers) who are eligible to come to school with the key worker children have taken up this offer.

In normal circumstances not only would these children be seen at school, but also by neighbours, friends etc. These are not normal circumstances, if schools don’t partially reopen in June these children could not be seen by September. Most may be fine others may not. There has been a huge rise in DV since lockdown. Other families are struggling in lockdown for many reasons.

Schools are really concerned by this. I am a school governor, this is not a box ticking exercise in my schools, the teachers are genuinely concerned for their pupils. And in the circumstances a ‘visit’ by the HT (who will also be the Safeguarding Lead) is probably the best we can do in these strange times we live in.

I can’t believe the reactions of some people on here. I assume some of you have images of them demanding to come in for a cup of tea or search the house! It is so bizarre. Yes it is not usual for the HT to do this, but we are currently living in unusual times.

[DateandTime]

Under the current circumstances there must be lots of children never previously identified as "vulnerable" who are now becoming vulnerable, just because life is tough for some families atm and some will cope less well than others.

[SmallChickBilly]

Yes, they do, or can. It is down to the LA... not compulsory but considered good practice.

Sorry to derail, but who considers it good practice?

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Sorry to derail, but who considers it good practice? Who do you think? DoE, LAs etc. Even some home schooling parents... yes, I do know a few, have taught their post compulsory kids at FE and HE!

Maybe even Santa Claus!

[ineedaholidaynow]

I would have thought it was good practice for homeschooled children. Some parents (and I emphasise some) take children out of school to escape the radar, so they no longer go to doctors, dentists etc, so disappear from the system completely.

I don’t think people realise how important schools are in looking after the welfare of children.

[SmallChickBilly]

I was asking as I don't know any local authorities around here (out of 5 or 6 that I deal with) who even offer a visit so I was wondering whether you were aware of any official guidelines as I have never come across any that applied universally. You appear to find it a stupid question though, so apologies for upsetting you.

[DateandTime]

Wasn't there a bug fuss in the news recently (or maybe not that recently, time flies) at the suggestion that safeguarding checks should be extended for homeschooled children? The nice middle class homeschoolers being outraged at the suggestion that it was necessary when those of us who have anything to do with vulnerable children know that homeschooling is often used to take children off the radar.

[AldiAisleOfCrap]

No my LA doesn’t routinely visit homeschooled children. People forget nursery isn’t compulsory and neither is a HV.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Billy my apologies. The whole thread has annoyed me.

Call the bloody police pah!

[EachDubh]

Be glad you have a ht wo cares enough to check, visually, that all kids are safe and well. They are not going to come within 2m they are there to check all children are visually safe, unharmed and alive. Children are killed and hurt by apparently nice parents who will have lovely discussions on a phone. So many saying this is terrible will call for blood when it's found a child/ children have been hurt even killed and no one checked.

[Tiredmumma89]

I wouldn't want them around mine. Partner's working here. House is upside down. Intrusive when we went have a cuppa with our families

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

I wouldn't want them around mine. Partner's working here. They don't come in

House is upside down. They don't come in

Intrusive when we went have a cuppa with our families You went out to do that? Or you expect them to arrive every time you boil the kettle?

They don't come in

[averythinline]

I am sure he means a distant visit ... highly highly unlikely to want to come in ........maybe just email asking for clarity... chances are they are worried about some kids or parents looking at the dv stats and don't want to highlight it...
Just say too difficult for you

[clpsmum]

I would contact school and tell them in no uncertain terms that you do not wish headteacher to visit and if she does you will be making a complaint.

I am so sick of hearing of teachers doing this. I have a child who has autism too and I would be livid if a teacher turned up. It would send us into a tailspin and make life unbearable for days (at least)

[AChickenCalledDaal]

All those saying it's a non-essential journey need to remember that the head teacher is at work. Travelling for work is allowed if you can't work from home. And this is not something he can do from home.

It would be entirely reasonable to politely flag up with him that family members are vulnerable and observing social distancing might be tricky.

But not even slightly reasonable to start ranting about calling the police!

[ineedaholidaynow]

I am still amazed by the reactions of some parents about this, even when it has been explained why the HT is doing this. I also wonder whether parents realise how much their child is observed at school and what will be noted about them.

So say little Johnny normally comes to school in pristine uniform every day, doesn't necessarily go home in the same state! There have been no concerns about Johnny and his family. But then one Monday morning the teachers notices that Johnny has come into school with the baked bean stained jumper he went home in on Friday afternoon. This happens for another couple of days, so the teacher has a friendly little chat with him.
Scenario A: Johnny says "Oh miss you won't believe this but the washing machine blew up at the weekend, flames and everything! So I have to wear this horrible jumper until the new machine arrives on Friday. I did offer to were the same pants for the week, but my mum wasn't keen on that idea!'
Scenario B: "Oh miss, dad got really angry on Sunday and he smashed everything up in the house, including the washing machine. I was really scared."

Scenario A, absolutely fine, can have a laugh with Johnny and sympathise with parents if you see them at pick up.
Scenario B, safeguarding concern

[Lumene]

If anyone is going into people’s houses unnecessarily and risking spreading the virus I would have no hesitation flagging it up with the authorities. That is risking people’s lives, and people may feel pressure to see yes to someone like a Head.

[GrimmsFairytales]

If anyone is going into people’s houses unnecessarily and risking spreading the virus I would have no hesitation flagging it up with the authorities.

Why do so many posters assume he's going into the pupil's houses.

[Lumene]

Fully aware of the importance of safeguarding in schools and the current challenges for vulnerable pupils and families.

A Headteacher leaving families with a concern that they may not be able to say no to a visit when vulnerable or shielding is doing the opposite of safeguarding.

Also safeguarding questions around teachers visiting homes which have to be carefully managed and monitored. Not saying this is or isn’t happening in the OP’s school or other instances here as we have no way of knowing.

If the school has serious concerns about pupils safety would they visit children at home? Or would they take other steps eg flag concerns with social workers? What risk assessment has been done about safeguarding in general and PPE/spread of virus etc.

You don’t just invite yourself round to people’s houses without considering these things. At the very least the school concerned hasn’t done an adequate health and safety assessment and is putting children at risk of losing loved ones/carers.

[ineedaholidaynow]

Surely when it says the HT is going to visit all the children in their homes, it means the children will be in their homes and the HT will be standing in the drive, path etc.