Unauthorised Absence

[avivabeaver]

Can anyone give me some advice about unauthorised absence?

Just had a letter saying that they have looked at last years absence and are unhappy at dds amount of sickness absence. It does not say what they have recorded as sick.

For the record, I am in education myself and totally understand the importance of attending school. DD picks up every bug going and is accident prone.

However, having not had a single letter, comment or meeting the letter states that from today until the end of the academic year they will not authorise any sickness absence. If she is off sick, medical evidence will be required for every day. If she takes unauthorised leave a fixed penalty notice will be issued (again no advice as to how much this would be).

So, what to do? If she has a stomach bug( and through their own policy can't go in for 2 days) how do i get medical evidence? Would i have to pay for it? Would it be cheaper to pay the fine?

How rubbish of the school! I would ring them next time dd is poorly and say cheerfully 'DD is throwing up horrendously. And she's got dreadful diarrhoea. I'm afraid I can't get a doctor's appt today - they are full up. Shall I bring some spare clothes in for her?' See what their reaction is!

How very odd.

The problem is requesting " medical evidence" too, you GP will be very unlikely to "do a note" it's not their job (understandably) to police minor illness for schools. If they will provide a note, there will be a charge usually too.

I might just be a bit arsey back if I was feeling awkward about it. take her in, tell them " she has a stomach bug, she is here as requested but needs to be kept isolated by your criteria. Your problem not mine" .

But then again my kids (and most I know at secondary) are almost never off ill. I would be interested to know what level of absence triggered this letter, as it's usually 80% and that is a heck of a lot of sick leave- a day a week or more than a whole week off every single half term. Surely you'd worry more about your childs health if this was the case ??

(caveat, I can see how 80% happens at primary easily- a dose of chicken pox, a bad cough etc sound build up, but not at age 11 plus surely?)

That would sound to me as though they think that she is skiving, probably without you knowing. When I was at school forging sick notes for others was very financially successful... Or it may be they think you're a push over. I know one child who has a week off school, about 3-4 times over the winter for a "heavy cold". She's playing outside during that time, so I know she's not bedridden with it. She also misses for "period pains" (another week gone; yes, a whole week) pretty regularly, and then there's odd days here and there.

I think I'd go and speak to the school and emphasis why she has had so much time explaining why she has so much time off, and see what they say.

Well, their reporting system is rubbish- you phone in and leave a message on an answerphone saying child is ill. That is it- no letter or note required. No contact with parent at all. I guess that she has around 90% attendance over the year. Not great, but that is because she is genuinely ill. My older daughter has practically perfect attendance. But if there is a difference between when i think she is at school and their attendance records I have no means of knowing this.

Frustrating!

I would ask for a copy of the attendance records, and double check it. I have had texts before saying my child is absent when they have been in school, but pulled out of lessons by the school to do something else.

If the record is correct, I would ask them to clarify exactly what you are supposed to do about the medical evidence given that many doctors refuse to issue sick notes (even if paid for) within the self-certification period.

I assume you sent in a note or rang the school for each absence? So are they saying that you are a liar/or your DD's absences are not genuine. Sounds like a standard form letter to me.

I would make an appointment to see whoever is in charge of of policing absence. Explain your DD was genuinely sick and say you are happy to get a private certificate for each future absence - if the school pays for it.

My DD had quite a few days sick last year, with stomach aches and sickness. The GP thought it was made worse by the stress of school - particularly harassment and bullying that the school refused to deal with - and said she would back us up if the school got arsey.

What is wrong with some of these schools? They send letters out to say not to come to school if child is ill then moan when they are off!! Dd was very ill with swine flu and septic tonsilitis at primary school (was diagnosed) and was told by doctor that she should take a full week off and notify school. I went straight to school office and told secretary who then went on to tell me that it was probably not swine flu but a cold and not to panic. Didn't know you were a doctor Mrs S?? Told Mrs S that there is no way dd would be in school as she could not hardly stand and had a temperature of 39.9(not exaggerating - she was quite poorly, it was frightening). I was then told that a full week off school could be marked as unauthorised absence. I said i'm sorry but my daughters health comes first and then i mentioned i will check with lea (i never did). Surprise surprise nothing more was said about it and it was not marked down as unauthorised. Little Hitlers.

aviva - initially I would do as creamtea suggests and ask them for a copy of the record, check whether it is correct. The letter suggests to me that they have probably reviewed all the students attendance and written wholesale to everyone under a certain %.

If you are happy that all the absences are valid then I would go in and see them to discuss their heavy handedness. It's not good practice to from no letter/comment to threat of a fine without discussion with the parent/pupil involved.

The fine is currently £50 per parent per child though I think Gove is hoping to have it increased. And at my school sight of a prescription or a named appointment card issued by the GP's receptionist constitutes medical evidence. It's unreasonable to expect a GP letter for each visit.

The letter states "an appointment card will only be valid for the date of the appointment." I am not underestimating the importance of attendance but this is basically putting into place a system that is not possible to follow. I cannot and would not waste NHS resources in dragging my dd to a doctors appointment unless i genuinely felt they would be able to offer them something. even if I did, what am i supposed to do at the end of the appt? Say thanks doc and whilst we are here, can you write a note to the school???? Its just a blanket "we dont believe you"

Ask for her attendance records and match the absence dates against your records, do you make notes in a diary or on the calendar?
I'm surprised you don't have to back up a phonecall with a note or an email, that's SP round here.
A friend's child got wise to this, used to use her mother's email to notify the school of her illness and then bunk off the rest of the day. Got found out, but it took over a year.