Letter from School Health Service - wwyd?

[noodle6]

I received a letter from the School Health Service. I'm not quite sure how to respond but clearly the LA had informed the Health Services (or the other way round?). Only my eldest DD is "known" so far - I withdrew her from school 2 years ago, and I now have another DD who turned 5 last Sept so I am guessing they are writing that because of my younger DD. This is so stupid because we have been using the GP services for any queries and health-related matters for the 2 years we have been home educating. We have had no need for any further meet-ups with health staff. Why would anything need to change now??

The letter, which is sent from a neighbouring Children's Centre which we never used, says :

"I am a Child Health Practitioner working within the Integrated Children's Team, working with children aged 0 - 19 years. I understand that your child/children is/are being homeschooled.

I would like to visit you and your child/ren at home on 09/07/12 at 14:00.

This will be an opportunity to discuss our service, offer any screenings and provide support with any health-related issues.

If this appointment is inconvenient I would be grateful if you could contact mee on the above telephone number so I can arrange a more suitable time.

Kind regards

Yours sincerely

XXXXXXX
Child Health Practitioner

(signed) XXXXXX - Assistant Practitioner"

How should I respond? I think I'd better respond in writing. I just need some ideas. Should I say "Thank you for your offer, but we have been using the GP's services for support in health-related issues and are very happy to continue as such. I do not see the need for any additional health-related services."?? Or is there a better way to put it?

Any suggestions or thoughts about this appreciated. TIA.

Legally school is the loophole which allows parents not to have to actually provide the education themselves.

I don't disagree with that at all.

Ishallwearmidnight. What a pile of unutterable bollocks!

[shrug]. Education Act 1996. The parents of every child... shall cause him to receive...education.

Does go on to say "either at school or otherwise" but the starting point is that the parent is responsible, and may choose to delegate the day to day part of that responsibility elsewhere.

One viewpoint on the legislation, but not unutterable bollocks thanks very much.

I better expect a few checks then, although hopefully we come under Greater Manchester.

I often think about home educating... and often read the home educating threads on here. But bizarrely it tends to be other home edders that put me off!

I contacted about the hearing tests today, and they said that there is no routine check (in my area at least) for hearing beyond the one in infancy, unless parents or teachers flag up concerns, then they will refer for testing.

Yes thank you, I am on facebook, Julie.

I wonder if MNHQ would keep HE off the active conversations? Would somebody have to ask in the Site Stuff section?
Not that I think people with children at school shouldn't post here, many do (and I've posted lots on Primary Ed. and Secondary Ed. after all).

If I was serious about home educating, I wouldn't let God Almighty put me off!

Well done, noodle. You've been very restrained indeed when people who know nothing whatsoever about home education or home educated children have piled in to give criticism on a subject they know nothing whatsoever about. Perhaps I should trot over to a board I know nothing about and give some advice, as it seems to be the form here. Mmmmm, I know nothing about horses and have never owned or even ridden a horse, so The Tack Room appeals. I could tell them they need compulsory vet checks once a month, just in case...

You've done exactly what I would have done, noodle.

Now, back to help DD2 with her singing practice. She sings remarkably robustly and with an amazing amount of energy for a child who hasn't been seen by a doctor in ten years.

Musicposey, loving your style.

tbh i dont get it. wont the Childrens centre worker just come and say we offer this nutrition class, this class for fussy eaters, this sleep workshop/ toilet training/ behaviour workshop, come if you think it would be helpful? what is so bad about that?

why come to the house though and not send a letter detailing what is on offer or a brochure?

The point is (I could be misinterpreting this completely) aside from the fact they have used the wront erminology in the letter (that can be forgiven) and regardless of the fact so many people have commented on a topic specifically in the HE section:

• The service is not compulsory *A home visit has been imposed rather than offered A date has been set rather than offering to work around the parent's schedule and see what days they both have available to match them up (okay it says to call if it's not convienient (sp?) but thats not the point) From the letter it appears that you have to have a visit, that there is no alternative (a tactic used by many LA 'officials' and has no standing in law)

Nobody (except for maybe police and social workers with police present) has automatic right of access to you home and to assume so is wrong which is how it comes across in letters 99% of the time. Not only that, some people HE because their children have been so badly damaged by the system and their children get distressed even at the thought of an 'official' coming into their home regardless of the department they work for, I know I ceetainly wouldn't be happy about someone assuming they could come into my home, it's my private, personal space and no-one can come in unless I invite them. I certainly don't have anything to hide, and I shouldn't have to prove that to anyone simply because I HE.

This may help explain better:

chronicle.com/article/Why-Privacy-Matters-Even-if/127461/

secondaryathome.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/but-if-youve-got-nothing-to-hide/

Why would I let a complete stranger into my home if I don't have to - especially if the same thing can be done at an alternative location?

nailak - if they have things to offer why can't they just do that by letter? They don't need to come to your home to give you that information they just just post it to you, which is also a lot cheaper than organising a home visit.

Just for the information of posters here. Neither Kyra Ishaq or Victoria Climbie were home educated.

I must have missed that bit...gah.... What Marjoriew said.

I was under impression that one reason "they" set dates in letters like that has to do with waiting list targets, if OP says she can't do the date then the target gets reset to zero, changes the statistics. It's some sort of standard fudge practice for keeping the numbers pretty.

This could be a simple routine check. These do happen from time to time.

because they like the more personal approach, want to build links in the community etc?

hi op, just wondered if there was an outcome for you?

Also wanted to reassure that regardless of whether people here think the offer is a good or bad idea, there is no reason why you should accept their offer and they have no right to compel you to do so - at home or anywhere else for that matter.