missed 21 days

lukesmom

Hi just got a text from my daughters school saying they have to report to the welfare services that she missed over 20 days this year. She has missed 21 days. Shes in senior infants. She picks up bugs very easy between herself and her little brother who us in preschool she seems to get every bug going. What can I expect to happen.

One eyed Jack

You shouldn't expect anything to happen really at this stage of the year, plus given your daughter is only in senior infants, just over the 20 day mark isn't going to make that much of a difference.

I don't know why they set it at 20 days, but that's an automatic policy now that when a child misses more than 20 days, it's reported to the child welfare authorities, whom one would hope would exercise discretion in each individual case.

Put it this way - it'd be different if you refused or neglected to send your child to school.

byhookorbycrook

20 days is one month out of the 9 in the school year and yes, it does make a huge difference to a child, whatever class they are in. If your child was genuinely ill and you made the school aware of that at the time, you needn't worry.

And just to add, a child may be reported at less than 20 days if the school is concerned about them.

lukesmom

Should I expect a visit from social services? Pretty ironic seeing as I'm studying to be a social worker. Really hope it doesn't affect my career prospects. I understand the importance of being at school. I've been giving her a tonic and vitamins to boost her immune system.

ForestFire

lukesmom wrote: »

Should I expect a visit from social services? Pretty ironic seeing as I'm studying to be a social worker. Really hope it doesn't affect my career prospects. I understand the importance of being at school. I've been giving her a tonic and vitamins to boost her immune system.

I think you are overthinking this. You have passed a limit where they feel it is necessary to highlight the issue to investigate.

There maybe a number of reasons why SW would need to check if everything is okay with the child.

In your case, you said that there was a valid reason for the absence and that you are in regular contact within you GP?

Therefore, You are not deliberately keeping your child from school and your child is getting all the medical attention they need.

Miaireland

I would assume that the school mean that you have been reported to what was called the School Attendance officer. At most you might get a phonecall from them. If you brought your daughter to the Doctor with any of these bugs then get a note from them. Don't worry it is not going to impact on your career. They do understand that kids get sick.

killbillvol2

lukesmom wrote: »

Should I expect a visit from social services? Pretty ironic seeing as I'm studying to be a social worker. Really hope it doesn't affect my career prospects. I understand the importance of being at school. I've been giving her a tonic and vitamins to boost her immune system.

Social services are understaffed as it is. Education Welfare Officers have caseloads they can't get through. A 5/6 year old child missing 21 days when the absences have been explained to the school won't be followed up on.

Hopefully she's developed some immunity at this stage and will have fewer illnesses in the future.

lukesmom

That's just it I didn't bring her to the doctor. I treated her at home she had hand and mouth disease picked up from my son who got it at preschool. Then it was 24 hour bugs that were doing the rounds so just calpol when temp was very high otherwise rest and keep her off until she is no longer vomiting.

my3cents

On the slight off chance the someone does follow up I think it would be good to have a log of the days missed and the symptoms.

Miaireland

Don't worry. You are not the only parent who has being in this position. The school notified them because they had to, not because they were concerned. The odds are they might check with the teacher that she normally comes to school, with her books and a lunch, in clean clothes etc. The teacher will be able to tell them what bugs were doing the rounds in the class and when.

heldel00

Returns have to filed on each child who has missed 20+ days. Absence notes are kept by the teacher and this is then recorded on the returns.
Ie: Mary missed 22 days. Teacher looks at the notes and sees that 18 were for illness, 2 were for family reasons and 2 were unexplained.

Moral of the story- always send in a note when child has been absent. Teacher doesn't give a continental if ye were in Tayto Park for the day or at a family function, absences need to be recorded.

pooch90

Don't fret OP! We have reported genuine neglect cases for absenteeism and they sometimes went un-investigated ( some of these kids had barely been in for 50 days out of 183) You may get a phonecall but there's nothing to worry about.

LaLa2004

We should be thanking you for not sending your child in, when suffering from a contagious illness.