My partner's daughter is 5 and is currently in year one of school. We are becoming increasingly concerned by the amount of time she is absent from school (she lives with her Mother). Whenever my partner raises the issue with his ex she either makes a joke out of it or she gets funny with him and stops us seeing her. Last year when we spoke to the school they said they were unable to do anything whilst she was in her reception year even though they had spoken to the mum about bad attendance (60% last year). Her mum openly says I didn't take her becuase I had a hangover or couldn't get out of bed, the school is a 30 second walk from her house so there really is no excuse. When she does attend she is often in late and misses her early lessons, she's a bright girl but she is struggling now in certain areas, especially sums and we can only do so much when we have her. Is there anything her Father can do legally regarding this? He does have parental responsibility.
2006-11-23 22:28:06 · 9 answers · asked by Haribo 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
We have tried going for custody but have been advised despite the fact that social services have been involved in numerous occasions that unless the child is in actual danger then she would be adwarded to the mother. It cost us several thousand pounds just to get parental responsibility through the courts. In an ideal world she would live with us and none of this would be a problem.
2006-11-23 22:44:21 · update #1
My heart goes out to you and, I must say I am surprised by the lack of support you got from the school. I certainly wouldn't let this matter drop - ask for another appointment with the Head and tell them your grave concerns; then, if nothing happens, contact the Local Authority and speak to the Attendance Officer.
(All these unauthorised absences are not going to cast a very favourable light on the school!)
Finally please don't give up on the idea of custordy - speak to Social Services (it would help if you had an accurate log of absences and lateness - this the school is obliged to give you) to see if they can support your claim for this child.
Good luck.
2006-11-23 23:17:03 · answer #1 · answered by Safety First 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the school has an attendance officer, your partner should go in a talk to them, and arrange what is called an attendance case conference, this is a meeting with head teacher, parents, Education Social Worker, attendance officer and any other person's who are working with that child. I am very surprised that the school have not raised concerns. I work in a school and i work very closely with attendance officers, and I do the weekly attendance and I would defintely bring thischild to attention of school and Local Education Authority. The meeting is designed to help meet in needs of the child and sometimes can be quite informal. i am also suprised that this mother has not been fined, and if fine is not paid mother may be prosectued in other ways. also another possible solution is they anybody who could take this child to school. If this does not get sorted out it could eventually lead into a child protection issue and social services in that area will call a meeting and raise these issues.
Your partner should go and get legal advice regarding custody, especially if mam is admitting to hangovers.
Hope this helps. good luck
2006-11-24 00:50:26 · answer #2 · answered by HELEND 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check the Children Rights Act you should find it on the Internet. It seems that you have a very good case of neglect and if the school is doing nothing about it then you should take it to the board of governors, then the education authority and your MP. As far as I know it is from Year 1 that education is compulsory. I had the "school board" round to me when my son was in reception as his attendance was 80% due to ill health. Also I used to send an absent note in every other Monday for my eldest son as he was so tired after having a visit from his dad the day before I couldn't wake him up for school, this was deemed as an invalid excuse and I was interviewed by someone from Education. They decided I wasn't neglecting him but was doing the best by him but I had to get the ex to bring him home much earlier so that I could send him to school the next day and that caused all sorts of problems, but I would have prosecuted if I hadn't. WHY haven't they picked up on her terrible excuses? You MUST take it as far as you can, the school is lacking as much as the parental care it seems. Talk to a solicitor, ask for a consultation, they are not expensive but if you want to take it to court be prepared to pay something.
2006-11-24 00:07:18 · answer #3 · answered by sladelover 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start with the school, they too should be helping.The mother is obviously fobbing them off, if the school has no other contact then they have to believe her for now. Tell your partner the school must inform him of any absence in the future and to stay in touch with him,It's not much help I know but it's a start.Don't let the school off either they also have a duty to this little girl. Next step social services
Good Luck
2006-11-23 22:57:31 · answer #4 · answered by David 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand women like this, and believe me there are alot of them!
Your partner has a duty of care to this little girl, he has to act. If I were you both, I would go and seek legal advice from a family solicitor. The child may be better off in your care.........but how would you feel about that?
I'm not sure of your personal circumstances but I think you should seek custody of this kid.......imagine how the poor mite is gonna grow up if her mother doesn't give a sh1t now and she's only a baby!
Good luck!
2006-11-23 22:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by EMA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor you. This sounds like a terrible situation. I'd speak to social services, and take a log of the excuses to them. If you liaise with the school, you would be able to formulate a solid case. It may in fact be worth asking the school to contact social services becuase they feel the child is at risk.
Best wishes!
2006-11-23 22:47:41 · answer #6 · answered by peanut1973 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Legally, once it falls below 85%, they should get the EWO (educational welfare officer) round to see the parent and set up targets. If these targets aren't met, they can now fine the parent for witholding education (the exception being if they are agreed home-school). You could ask at the local authority for the local EWO.
The danger is that after 6 weeks off, the school can take the child off role and offer their place to someone else.
2006-11-24 03:01:39 · answer #7 · answered by squeezy 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is very sad, most kids love school at that age too. Can the father or yourself not take the child to school? I know its not ideal, but at least you would have piece of mind and see her more. Her silly mother might even think your doing HER a favour!
2006-11-24 09:55:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
can he not try and get custordy of his daughter? Her mother seems to be an unfit parent?
Then again... is that somrthing you would want?
2006-11-23 22:36:25 · answer #9 · answered by tera_the_giga_dragon_bytes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋