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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

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Original poster

incontinent child being excluded from trip.

44 replies

ashamahay · 15/05/2015 12:04

My yr six child is due to go on a five day/four night trip with the school. I had a talk with head teacher and was told they didn't feel it was possible to take my child due to their incontinence. My child has been listening and talking about it in school and is so excited to go but now I have to say no.
Is this right. Can they refuse to allow a child who has a medical condition which causes incontinence go on this trip? I can't even take them out of school for the week to make up for it without getting fined. Any advice on how to deal with this situation would be appreciated.

OP posts:

Lovemylittlebear · 15/05/2015 13:19

Gosh they should make adjustments to accommodate your child as to be excluded on the basis of disability is not going to do his/her self esteem any good and sends out a message that it's ok to exclude someone with a disability. I know it's all a huge battle but I hope that you are able to make school see sense as they are breaking the law. Good luck xx

TandemFlux · 15/05/2015 13:22

Can you check to see if here's a special loo?

Pico2 · 15/05/2015 13:26

I'm surprised that the headteacher doesn't know that this is illegal. It's hardly rocket science.

Branleuse · 15/05/2015 13:30

poor kid. Can you take them all out and away somewhere for a few days?

angelos02 · 15/05/2015 13:30

Hi OP. I would imagine this isn't the first time this sort of situation has arisen so there must be a precedent? What is supposed to happen. As pp's have said, teachers aren't trained to do this and agency staff would be around £800 for the week.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 15/05/2015 13:31

You could ask to see their risk assessment to see if they have even considered it?

Gigglenhoot · 15/05/2015 13:31

Oops xposted. I agree that if they employ a staff member already as part of a care plan then they are obligated to do so for the trip. I have to say I find the attitude of the school very sad. You child has enough to deal with 24/7 surely someone at the school can empathise and make an effort.

Branleuse · 15/05/2015 13:33

In year 6, is he able to clean himself up to a certain extent?

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 15/05/2015 13:35

The precedent is to book trips the children can go on. This happens automatically for most children, hence state schools not booking a week long residential to the Pyramids, but seems that some people find this really hard for children with disabilities.

The school should have already considered accessibility for the following reasons:

Price - is it affordable?
Educational value - does this fit with the educational (including social education)'objectives?
Is it safe?
Is it accessible to all pupils? This one has not been considered apparently.

juliascurr · 15/05/2015 13:46

does your dc's SEN have a dedicated charity? if so, they might be helpful
Moving gives good advice
hope you get it sorted

TandemFlux · 15/05/2015 16:41

Yes I wondered about charitable funds to cover the cost of personal care.

starfishmummy · 15/05/2015 16:47

Ffs. My ds is 16, doubly incontinent (and unable to clean himself) and has been on every residential trip his school has done.

Op.if he hasnt got an EHC you should start the ball rolling as I presume there my be more residentials to come and this can't keep happening.

Mrsjayy · 15/05/2015 16:53

Excluding a disabled person is illegal they havnt even tried to get ypur child a carer they should explore all avenues before saying that the trip isnt accesible (sp) id contact the LEA

TheBoov · 15/05/2015 16:58

This is illegal. Do not let them get away with it. They should not have planned a trip your child is excluded from. Go back into school now - they will still be there - and insist they follow the law.
Or they could cancel it for everyone else. Which would they prefer?

JustKerry · 18/05/2015 07:19

I don't think the school should be allowed to discriminate their pupils like this. Even if you don't want to start a battle with the school I would certainly highlight to them how much they have let down your child. Maybe raise it to the head teacher that you request to keep your child at home for the 5 days? At least you could plan some fun and educational trips of your own. I would also make the authority aware, if at least to prevent this from happening to another child in the future. Hope you find a happy solution.

InFlagranteDelicto · 18/05/2015 07:53

Watching with interest. I'm currently working my way through the complaints procedure after the school refused to take ds on a residential - ds has AS and ADHD. I'm livid.

Hazelnut55 · 18/05/2015 08:02

OP if you really are not up for the fight, take him away for the week of the residential and enjoy the cheaper holiday. You will only be fined if the school refer your holiday onto the LA and they won't do that for sure!

I shouldn't be saying this - I'm an Attendance manager!

WhyBeHappyWhenYouCouldBeNormal · 18/05/2015 08:06

please fight this OP, otherwise your son is learning that its ok for authorities to discriminate.

speak to the local authority - they might be able to suggest some help

Original poster

ashamahay · 28/05/2015 16:54

Ok so here's an update. After phoning local authorities I had a meeting with the head teacher and all of a sudden they could not be more excited that my child was going on the trip and have even said they will try to arrange house keeping to wash the wet room and any soiled cloths/bed linen daily while on the trip. Think they were just trying their luck to see if I would let it slide. They should know me better by now. Thanks all for help and support. My child is so happy.x

OP posts:

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