Only 40% of children with a social worker in school according to Government figures published this week?

[Doublefaced]

And only 34% of pupils with an EHCP attending school on 13th January.

Given that total attendance at state primary schools was 21%, state secondary schools was 5% and 30% at state funded special schools, surely much more needs to be done to get these vulnerable children into school?

I just think as a term (like 'child in need') it can be used, by settings and individuals who are not particularly good at their job, as a way of equating with 'at risk' - I think it is a term that has been incredibly detrimental to my ds and us as a family.
I also think that it is not great for the perception of disability (as per Baroness Campbell's views...www.google.com/amp/s/www.homecare.co.uk/news/amp/article/id/1628553/Stop-using-the-word-vulnerable-for-disabled-people-governnment-told)

But I think I am side tracking so I'll shut up!!

Perhaps they live in homes with vulnerable, or elderly relatives and their parents are understandably concerned about the high transmission rate.

School is very odd at the moment, nothing like usual. Some of our children on EHCPs are just coming in for a few sessions a week at the moment to get used to it - it's a phased transition. This is part of us meeting their needs, not the opposite.

"I just think as a term (like 'child in need') it can be used, by settings and individuals who are not particularly good at their job, as a way of equating with 'at risk' - I think it is a term that has been incredibly detrimental to my ds and us as a family"

100% agree with this, it has certainly been my experience too. But I do think the fault here is with the people who are not particularly good at their job, rather than the government guidance itself!

We can't force children to come into school.

As others have mentioned, those in a settled, supportive foster placement may well be better off at home- or those in the process of being adopted.

Some may live with grandparents who don't want to risk them bringing coronavirus into the home. Some may be young carers to someone who is ECV or CV, who doesn't want them in school.

And as others have said, some will not want to come into school because their friends aren't in, or they don't know the staff supervising them, or they don't cope well with change, and the school environment is very different right now.

If transport was a barrier, I know we would be facilitating this, but IME, the biggest barrier is parents not wanting their children to come into school. And schools can't override this.

I'm in Wales we still have statements. Two of my children have statement as they have ASC and other learning disabilities. I'm not sure why that makes them vulnerable though.

They are home. They are engaging with their work. One is very limited and the work is geared towards him and his abilities and the other child accesses all mainstream work.

Home learning works very well for them, particularly the one with less significant difficulties. However what has a massive impact on them was going back to school and yo-yoing in and out constantly, they missed a lot of schooling and it caused a lot of anxiety and difficulties for all of us.

My children don't have statements because they are vulnerable due to poor home life, they have ASC, they need the statement to access extra support (they both have one to ones) but they are not disadvantaged by home learning.

That's not to say this is easy, it's not, but I've certainly seen the benefits the past 12 months. It's been easier to redirect their focus on more constructive things.

Out of my class of 12 3 are in. Most other classes the same. Special s hool. Those that can are keeping their children home and safe.

some will be isolating, some will be disabled, some will be vulnerable as they live in families with disabilities, some should be in school as it is the best place for them. It is not cut and dried.

Have you seen the Covid transmission rates in special schools?? Unfortunately having an EHCP doesn't make you immune to Covid (or the staff that work there too) not every child with an EHCP is vulnerable, many of them are safer at home with their parents, same as all the other kids in the country. I know where I work we have encouraged the parents of our actual 'vulnerable' pupils to come in.....but you can't force them.

@snowone

Have you seen the Covid transmission rates in special schools?? Unfortunately having an EHCP doesn't make you immune to Covid (or the staff that work there too) not every child with an EHCP is vulnerable, many of them are safer at home with their parents, same as all the other kids in the country. I know where I work we have encouraged the parents of our actual 'vulnerable' pupils to come in.....but you can't force them.

Correct me if I’m wrong but that’s not an accurate representation of a covid transmission rate based on scientific evidence? It’s a graph based on some random calculations applied to ‘covid related absences’ ( which could include infection/isolation/shielding/caring responsibilities) and compared it to the ‘general population’ ?