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.

[PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock]

If you want to do this and think it would benefit the kids , are there windows you can open instead of the door? Then he can be in the garden and the kids will still be separated from him.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I'm glad you have sorted it OP

[LovelyIssues]

Well tell them that then. They're probably assuming if it's a problem you'll let them know. Though it seems a bit random and unnecessary

[MillennialPink]

WHY???

[cherish123]

I doubt he will manage to visit all. He will probably prioritise the most vulnerable. However, if your DS is ASD, he might prioritise him. Don't worry- he will be aware that the visit could be stressful for DS. Be honest with HT. Email and explain your feelings. Say you feel you would rather he doesn't visit. Alternatively, invent an underlying health condition.

[WendyE]

This is nothing to worry about and will almost certainly be a safeguarding requirement.
I would just pop your head out of the front door and say a polite hello.
He may ask how you and the children are and leave it at that.
Schools have been ordered by the Department of Education to make mandatory contact with vulnerable childrens' families ASAP so don't be alarmed. Hopefully that reassures you.
If you do need some help though this is a great opportunity to ask for it. Good luck :)

[Palaver1]

I actually think its a good idea .He wont be coming in .most likely be a sort of hi across the road .It will be particular pupils he will be aiming to see .
Might also be safeguarding issues that you wont know about .

[ineedaholidaynow]

Have people missed the point that the OP has agreed a way forward with the HT so they can do the visit.

[catsarecute]

I am glad the school have clarified that they won't be coming in. They need to make that clear to all parents on the website. For my part, I would be very uncomfortable with this (for my own health reasons) even if they are just knocking on the front door. I am fine with phone calls from the school, and would be ok with a video call too. I am aware of the concerns about vulnerable children, and that schools have a duty to do welfare checks, but wherever possible these should be done remotely. I am not a social worker, but in normal times do carry out home visits as part of my job so I read the social work guidance with interest. My union sent an e-mail this week updating on the situation and this is what it says for social workers "Only critical face to face home visits should take place face to face during the pandemic, based on risk assessments such as when it is necessary to prevent significant harm and/or to fulfil a statutory duty which cannot be satisfied in any other way. Where at all possible social workers should be contacting people remotely e.g. by telephone or video conferencing to maintain contact, assess and review."

[ChrissieKeller61]

We received the first phone call in 6 weeks today and I had to suggest they spoke to the kids. About time

[ineedaholidaynow]

@catsarecute I am assuming those people are either already known to the social worker or have been referred. The difference is the HT is probably trying to identify any additional families that need help or are a safeguarding concern, and that is probably best done by a visit, although obviously is not going to pick everything up, but even if it just identifies one child at risk, it has helped.

[alig99]

I think it’s a great idea. I actually think the head isn’t expecting to be in your home just to chat at a suitable distance and of course minds the child the importance of education and that school will still be there when lockdown ceases.

[sunnybean60]

My 15 year old grandson normally lives with us but about lock down he went to live with my son his uncle in another county where he will stay until we deem safe. My husband and I are shielding but if he had been shielding I too would refuse the visit under safety measures. Some adults are unable to see the bigger picture. The arrangement between my son and our grandson is working out well and grandson is working well online with school work so I have no additional worries.

[Lumene]

"Only critical face to face home visits should take place face to face during the pandemic, based on risk assessments such as when it is necessary to prevent significant harm and/or to fulfil a statutory duty which cannot be satisfied in any other way. Where at all possible social workers should be contacting people remotely e.g. by telephone or video conferencing to maintain contact, assess and review."

This is sensible risk assessment. Teachers randomly visiting all their pupils face to face definitely does not fit the criteria outlined here.

[SoVeryLost]

@catsarecute there are many children who don't have a social worker but are at risk or children who in normal circumstances are not at risk but in these odd times may be at risk and there is NO ONE to see that a child has become withdrawn, or is now getting bruises etc... As an ex teacher this is something that has played on my mind since the beginning of lockdown. I'm happy my DS is safe at home with me but there are probably 100s of children where this is not a pleasant experience for them.

Good on the headteacher going around to check on these children. He's coming to make sure your children are safe and being adequately cared for.

[catsarecute]

@ineedaholidaynow yes that is for people already known to a social worker or referred. However it is unreasonable to suggest that all pupils in a school need a home visit and cannot be assessed and have a welfare check by other means, unless there is a reason. I am aware of safeguarding issues. But if social workers can assess by phone or video call in these extremely unusual circumstances, why can't headteachers? Different perhaps if there are already some low level safeguarding concerns, eg at early help level, or if the parents aren't responding to other means of contact. Of course schools have a role to play in safeguarding. But equally we have a lockdown for a very good reason, and we need to safeguard children and their families health too. There is no need to home visit every single pupil in a school.

[MadMadaMim]

Not optional? What do you mean? Of course it is. It's your home.

Some of the comments on this are horrible. World gone mad.

[Yorkshiretolondon]

For goodness sake instead of posting on here just contact the school. His intentions are good and I can’t imagine he would be daft enough to compromise himself either by actually coming into your home.

[ineedaholidaynow]

@Yorkshiretolondon the OP has!

@MadMadaMim what comments are horrible, the ones saying to report to the police!

[lisiloo02]

I work in a LA Social Care team and all statutory visits are still being carried out with home visits done at a social distance or through a window. No one is going into houses or breaking rules but it is not possible to deem a child safe from a phone call or virtual meeting.

[Minxmumma]

@lisiloo02 this is so true and not all children have a social worker, but many more are in households under pressure now.

Surely a quick hello from the garden gate is ok? I'd rather that than discover when my children went back to school a child has suffered horrific abuse because the smt weren't allowed to take precautionary steps. Imagine having that on your conscience.

I am well aware of some families we work with who really need this input as they are spiraling at the moment.

[Hillary4]

Does this comply with gov guidelines, l think not

[PotholeParadise]

Which "gov guidelines"?

Safeguarding guidelines and moral and other (legal) responsibilities have not been withdrawn during this time.

I think not

Yes, we can see that.

[JudyCoolibar]

I assume Hillary4 means guidelines around not making inessential journeys.

[sunnybean60]

best would be to call up school and ask about this and explain concerns.