EWO - unauthorised absence only?

[madsadlibrarian]

dc is 10 - asperger in mainstream school - for 2 years, he is frequently sick in school and is sent home with instructions not to return for 2 days. But as far as anyone can tell he doesn't have a temperature or an illness. He has had blood tests which didn't find anything - and GP agrees with school policy - ds has to stay off - in case it IS infectious. His attendance was 78% last year - will EWO only take an interest if the absence is unauthorised? Is it up to school to contact EWO ?
Any info on EWO point or general advice on what to do about this would be most welcome.

Nope, afraid you can get referred to EWO if absence is authorised if goes below a certain level. In theory a certain level of absence - think it's under 85%, not sure of exact no, would trigger automatic EWO referral. But in practice some schools seem to get more leeway than others..... But even if you do get referred to EWO they may not do anything other than send you a snotty letter.

In terms of what to do about this - if school has a written record of him being sent home for vomiting I wouldn't worry too much, as his absences will correspond with the school register iyswim, but would keeo copies of medical correspondence, and if you do take him to GP over it then get receptionist to do you an appointment card as proof you have taken him. If he's off for other reasons, I would be tempted to take him to GP if for more than one day to cover your backside.

Could there be some sort of underlying stress problem? Or has he always been a bit sicky?

My Dd3 used to be sick at school, she hasn't done it for a while [fingers crossed] but she used to be sent home. I had to battle hard with the Headteacher to get her to understand that it was anxiety, not illness that was making her vomit. Luckily I did eventually get through and with the understanding gained by the HT the vommiting disappeared!!
Do you think your Sons vomitting is due to anxiety, can he tell you what makes him feel sick??

DS1 had shingles and was off for three weeks. The LA investigated us and asked for lots of evidence.

thanks for v. interesting responses -yes, Ineed2, my angle is that I hope that EWO does get involved (if they do more than a snotty letter of course!) I'd like some advice about how to get to the bottom of why this is happening and put a stop to it as at the moment being sick is a passport to half a week off. He does find school stressful - school are generally v. supportive of his ASD, but won't entertain the idea that the sickness is anything other than a bug. He's done it this year already - 2nd week back for pete's sake.

madsad - you can refer yourself to the EWO if you want to. Call you LA, tell them you have concerns about your child's attendance and ask to speak the EWO linked to your school. She may be able to put pressure on the school to make more of an attempt to keep him there rather than taking the easy option and calling you. You coulod also have a chat with the school nurse and see what she thinks.

thanks muchly