Do parents have a right to observe their child at school?

[LidiaD]

A parent has been refused access to school (special school) to observe their child. Two years ago, school gave mum a DVD with snippets of the child during various activities at school. He had had part time ABA at home prior to going to school. Now school are refusing to give a DVD, and are INSISTING they visit home to observe the child at home.

The mum is concerned as child has sustained numerous injurious over the last two years, all have been dismissed by school or vague explanations given. On his statement he has one-to-one support at all times (structured and unstructured times).

Has anyone been in a similar situation, not being able to observe their child at school? (even with no other children around and the child not seeing their parent?)

Can any one advise please?

Many thanks.

Sorry, we're in MS school for DS2, and no problems with observing DS2 at any time.

My friend was allowed to observe her DS at SS, they had a special two way mirror room. I don't know about the rights of it, however. They surely can't insist on observing him at his home without permission unless there's a CP issue, even then permission is usually needed?

i don't understand, i don't think. why do school want to observe dc at home? why was mum given a dvd of dc at school?

i understand there are concerns over safeguarding re injuries and mum wants to investigate, but surely an 'observation' wouldn't explain that anyway? they would just be on their best bahviour and not let any accidents/ injuries happen...

is there a discrepancy between behaviour in both settings? is it a psych that wants to observe at home as part of an assessment in both settings?

Thanks for the replies.

Triggles - good on ya! I know there are great schools, MS and SS, who are open and willing to work in the best interest of the child.

Ellen... & Madwoman...

two way mirror sounds great, and I am sure they have them as it is a new, purpose built school.

Mum is going to tribunal (again) as she sees her son regressing while at SS. Son did really well on part time ABA programme at home so mum went to tribunal to get ABA on statement. Tribunal ruled against her, saying he needed to be around peers and THEY decided which school was on statement. This school is not parents choice.

Self injurious behaviors ONLY occur at school, boy has no functional communication and no communication system has been put in place :( This here is the major issue, in my humble opinion.

Because this was not mums choice of school, she wanted to observe - but school said that was not possible but they could give her a DVD so she could see what her son was doing. Mum's request to observe at school/another DVD is to see what they are teaching and how. She suspects that as she has raised concerns about his safety, school are keeping him "safe" but not actually teaching him anything. Concepts he learned 2 years ago are still on his IEP and she thinks he is bored/not challenged at school.

It is a classteacher who is insisting on a home visit, as is the Ed Psych now. Ed Psych didnt know of the boy till parent said she was going to tribunal. Now everyone is desperate to observe at home. It all stems from the fact that the boy did so well on ABA and school wants to see what is so great about his home environment.

Mum is concerned as this is all a little surreal and wanted a little feedback that she wasnt nuts!

Thanks for your time ladies! :)

ah, in that case i would welcome them in with open arms and teach the damn professionals how to support him effectively starting with the ed psych but including the class teacher.

poor wee chap.

she could make some really important inroads into the provision for that area.

I was told that it is up to the HT who he/she allows on her premises. However, in a tribunal situation, I think your friend can make an application to the tribunal to allow her EP access for observations. If that is the case, can she tag along too?

She can also let them know that she will mention to the tribunal that she has not been allowed into the school to observe. She should have written evidence of refusal. Hopefully, she will also have evidence of his injuries and their explanations.

As to what they are teaching him - can she ask for his records under the Education (School Records) Regulation? Via his IEP etc. she should hopefully be able to show inadequate progress.

Observing in her home - it is her house. Up to her who she will allow in (unless they get an order). However, keep in mind a refusal will almost certainly be mentioned at tribunal. She can put conditions re time, date etc. and ask them what the aim is. She could use her willingness to co-orperate to highlight how willing she is to engage with them in the best interest of her child (unlike them).

If they allow visiting professionals to observe on the school premises, then why not allow parents? An open school would be ok with this, but not all special schools are open. They are not used to parents being around at all due to the system of bussing kids in, and find them threatening.

We've had a couple requests for home visits. Our OT has come to the home a couple times, however, she has always stressed there is no child protection issue at all, but part of her job is helping us get any adaptations to our house that are necessary for DS2, so any time she has managed to organise someone to come out and do adaptations, she comes out with them to help it get sorted. (She is lovely, our OT!! )

The SALT has requested that she come visit in the home after the holidays, however, again, she wants to see him in his home environment, no child protection issues according to her.

Both the OT and the SALT have been very clear in stating no child protection issues and that if we do not want to meet in our home, they are fine with that, we'll meet at their offices.

I agree, to some extent, if the school has nothing to hide, then observation should be fine, within reason. Obviously it does have an issue of some disruption with a parent there, so that has to be taken into account.