Mum could go prison because sister doesn’t go to school

[uplight99]

Hi,

I’m not a mum but I thought this would be a good place to ask for help. My sister is 15 years old and she literally refuses to go into school. My mum has had to go to court 3 times now because of it and a few days ago (3rd court visit) she got given a 9 month probation and was told next time she will go to prison. How is this fair? She is a single mum who doesn’t work. My sister is taller and bigger than my mum and could easily overpower her if my mum “drags” her into school like the court told her to. I have to go to work every morning so I cannot drag my sister into school. Can anyone please help me with this situation as I really don’t know what to do and I’m getting really worried now.

Thanks

Firstly I am so sorry you have this worry on you. The school clearly knows your family, the fact that two previous siblings had near-perfect attendance.
I had had two do this, one was out for nearly an entire year, the other left in snr school never to return until college age, after much support through various sources, but school and lea were at fault and found at fault after investigation.
But, this could only happen by remaining in continual contact with the school.
This really is up to your DM to do. She has to engage with the school as others say.
I think it's gone past calls. She needs urgently to set everything out in writing. She needs to get your sis to a GP appt and start getting evidence of the issues.
If your DM is not working, is she well enough to home ed?

It is up to the lea to get involved and offer alternatives, including tutors to your home

A cahms assessment

Haven't read the full thread but I know someone who went through this. She called the school every morning to say her child was refusing to come in, they'd locked themselves away, she'd tried breaking down doors but she's got an illness so couldn't do anything else. Eventually Camhs got involved and now the child is 16 and has maybe attended like 5 days of school in the past two years. Obviously don't want it to get this bad for your sister but maybe your mum could ask for a Camhs referral as they do sometimes help, and they certainly help this child, unfortunately their anxiety and issues at home have caused them to still not be able to attend but we're still holding out for the future as they're finally venturing out the house which never happened before. Good luck x

It took a lot, a lot of hard work, battling and support, both have since done extremely well. The schools involved were truly unhelpful. The worst for the schoolphobe, the LEA wriggled out of their responsibility.

Perhaps your mum could join these facebook groups.
www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiarefusal/

www.facebook.com/groups/NFISFamilySupport/

There is lots of support on these groups from parents going through the same thing.
Unfortunately the education system is in crisis. Lots of schools and local authorities would rather prosecute parents rather than provide support. This includes parents of children under Camhs. Many parents are frightened and just plead guilty rather than try and fight the system. There is only limited criteria for statutory defence under section 444 of the 1996 education act.

The link below shows the tens of thousands of year seven to eleven pupils who left education in 2017, presumably to be home educated. I would imagine a large percentage of those were off rolled or left under threat of prosecution.

ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2018/06/whos-left-2018-part-one-the-main-findings/?fbclid=IwAR2yyP3qPD4ZmjWUDZRpUPiCwhcjQH9berBcOBoasCZgM2r_IUUTDjNpcdQ