Is a parent's health a reason to get into a school?

[BPisme]

Quick summary: we applied on time to all schools that are walkable or within a 20 minute bus ride. No places. DD1 is on 4 waiting lists.

Because of my poor mental health, I receive care and mobility DLA and am currently in the process of getting a bus pass due to the fact that I am unable to drive. DH is my carer but does work part time. We live in a rented house in a average area in a deprived town, in a very deprived region.

Should we have told the council about my poor health? Is it relevant? Any other school that I can think of would be impossible for me to get to on a bad day.

Then again, is it fair that another child could miss out on a school place because of my health?

Why would it not be fair? Is it fair that you have to have mental health issues? Is it fair that you cant get to another school? No it's not fair and not your choice.

I don't know the rules around this but if you tell the LA and see what they decide then your being perfectly fair.

I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time.

Yes it can be taken into account. A friend got her son into the local school on the grounds of her medical condition (mobility problems). This was however highlighted on the original application form with back up reports from relevent medical professionals. Not sure what happens if nothing was mentioned on the application form - no harm in asking though!

It can be.

The school admissions code says

2.28 Admission authorities must not use this criterion to give a child a lower priority in obtaining a place at the school, but it is acceptable to give higher priority to children or families where there is a social or medical need (for example, where one or both parents or the child has a disability that may make travel to a school further away more difficult).

What do your LEA's published admissions criteria say?

If you had told the LA prior to the cutoff date for aplications then if the LA have a medical condition criteria it could have used potentially, if the LA accepted the proof of the medical condition.

You should approach the LA immediately about this and see whether they will accept this, because it will automatically get you much further up the waiting list of all schools.

At appeal you can use it to argue for admission, saying that you did not realise that you could apply under the criteria, but the panel cannot look at it retrospectively for the original application as the LA was not aware of the circumstances.

It should be - but as Panelmember says, they each have their own rules. Many faith schools give priority to regular church etc attendance above parents' disability. Disabled Parents Network might help - 0800 018 4730