Hassle from health visitor

[mavisdavis]

My health visitor rang out of the blue a few months ago asking which school my eldest child is going to. I told her that I didn't want him to start school until aged 5 years at least, another year away, and that I may home-school. She then said to let her know if I was home-schooling so she could arrange for the 'home school nurse' to deal with checks that would normally be carried out by the school nurse. Does anyone else submit to this!? I remember getting thoroughly fed up with the health visitor when my children were newborn and feeling that I and they had to perform, get the house perfect, etc. Will I ring 'alarm bells' if I avoid them/tell them I don't need these checks and that im a responsible mother who can look after my own children thank you!

Probably been said, but the HVs here always send a letter asking you to tell them which school your child is going to before they start school.

Betel -the tests you are describing are the 3.5 year check, carried out by the GP (it may be your GP has a backlog or you were missed). I am talking about the service offered by the Public Health Nursing Service (ie School Nurses) in the term the child turns 5 as I said. This consists of height, weight and hearing and a questionnaire to check out other concerns. This is a nationwide service and is the final element of the red book, there should be no difference according to where you live.

[[http://publications.education.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/DH-286448.pdf This] may be of interest.

Betel-in terms of funding, the Institute of Health Research is conducting research into the cost-effectiveness of school-entry hearing screening. The National Deaf Childrens' Society is campaigning to prevent reductions in the service. I absolutely agree that funding for all sorts of Childrens' services is woefully inadequate and that many more families require support, but I really don't think you can lay the blame at PH Nursing's door.

Oooops