Can school force child into a wheelchair?

Annisele

angelicmary85 wrote: »

The only reason given was that the school think she needs it. Mum thinks it's just the easy option for them to push her when they go for walks instead of letting her walk.

I agree 100% that she should be encouraged to walk, she doesn't use a chair at home. She can ride her wee trike and do lots of things on her own.

If the 'problem' really is that the school thinks she's too slow when they go for walks, is there any possibility that the school could take its walks on trike-friendly paths, and they could get her a trike instead of a wheelchair? Presumably at 4 she's still physically pretty small and light, so one of those trikes with a handle on it so an adult could push her if she got tired might work.

savingmummy

I would not allow this at all!!
If she manages fine at home she can away from home!

At my dd`s nursery they had a little boy with Special needs (may have been CP) and when they went out for afternoon walks or sgop visits they used to take a buggy just incase (issued by the parents) maybe this could be an alternative option for the `lazy` carers Seems to me THEY `may` find it easier using a wheelchair when out and about.

Wheelchair is unnessesary imo.
Hope she gets it sorted out, they need to arrange a meeting and if no joy then maybe a change of nursery!

tandraig

I suspect this is a health and safety issue, the school are worried that the child does have difficulties walking and by its nature the school cannot guarantee the child will not suffer a fall due to being
pushed by other kids eager to get where they are going
hazards like pens pencils on floor
do you see where I am going? perhaps a compromise can be reached? its great the child is doing so well, but perhaps her mum would agree to a wheelchair being used during class trips or if a lot of walking is required and the parent signing a waiver absolving the school of any responsibility for any fall due to 'normal' classroom activities or clutter?
but, tbh, if it was MY child - I would stick to my guns and ask for the medical team to compile a report saying why a wheelchair would be detrimental to the childs health and wellbeing.

angelicmary85

lolababy wrote: »

Id request a meeting with all those in the team caring for her.Maybe you could go with the mum as a support. Its unlikley that the center would do anything that was not in the childs best interest .
As for paying for the childs wheelchair is that because its not one provided by the nhs.

The school are making her get a chair which the consultant (on behalf of the centre) has agreed to pay half of but mum has to stump up the rest of the cash as no-one else is willing to pay it *insert confused smiley*

Mum has been speaking to lots of different people, she doesn't seem to be getting anywhere.

Annisele wrote: »

If the 'problem' really is that the school thinks she's too slow when they go for walks, is there any possibility that the school could take its walks on trike-friendly paths, and they could get her a trike instead of a wheelchair? Presumably at 4 she's still physically pretty small and light, so one of those trikes with a handle on it so an adult could push her if she got tired might work.

She is still very small, only weighs around 28lbs or so. I think that that is an awesome idea, will be suggesting it to mum next time I see her. Thank you!

tandraig wrote: »

I suspect this is a health and safety issue, the school are worried that the child does have difficulties walking and by its nature the school cannot guarantee the child will not suffer a fall due to being
pushed by other kids eager to get where they are going
hazards like pens pencils on floor
do you see where I am going? perhaps a compromise can be reached? its great the child is doing so well, but perhaps her mum would agree to a wheelchair being used during class trips or if a lot of walking is required and the parent signing a waiver absolving the school of any responsibility for any fall due to 'normal' classroom activities or clutter?
but, tbh, if it was MY child - I would stick to my guns and ask for the medical team to compile a report saying why a wheelchair would be detrimental to the childs health and wellbeing.

Thank you for taking the time to reply but if you're right about it being a h&s issue then the whole world has offically gone mad...anyone could get pushed over or trip on something on the floor.

Mum is determined not to let them do it, she's devastated.

angelicmary85

savingmummy wrote: »

I would not allow this at all!!
If she manages fine at home she can away from home!

At my dd`s nursery they had a little boy with Special needs (may have been CP) and when they went out for afternoon walks or sgop visits they used to take a buggy just incase (issued by the parents) maybe this could be an alternative option for the `lazy` carers Seems to me THEY `may` find it easier using a wheelchair when out and about.

Wheelchair is unnessesary imo.
Hope she gets it sorted out, they need to arrange a meeting and if no joy then maybe a change of nursery!

I'm still 100% in total agreement!!

We only live in a little town and there's only 2 nursery options.

angelicmary85

What I should have mentioned in my OP was that mum never knew anything about this until HV came knocking at the door out of the blue one day to fit her up for a chair.

That was about 2-3 months ago so mum has been fighting for along time already.

Surely there must be some kind of human right against this sort of thing or something?! (can you tell I'm clutching at straws?!)

I really want to help mum out as she suffers alot of abuse at the hands of the local HV already (she doesn't really like SP children - that's NOT just speculation, another HV, well, nursery nurse, told me that)

tandraig

OP, has your friend contacted the school to find out what the issue really is? what do THEY say? are they taking advice from the HV? if the child doesnt normally or indeed ever, use a wheelchair then to my mind, they are not justified in insisting she uses one on their premises.
what does the Local Education Authority say about this? it may be worth contacting them to ask what the guidelines are.
I have a feeling they contacted the gps surgery to ask about the childs condition and someone has exaggerated her problems. or they googled her condition and only have info on worst case.
I am sure your friend is at her wits end - perhaps you could do some research for her - such us looking up guidelines, or even emailing the education minister and asking him about whether the school can do this.

angelicmary85

tandraig wrote: »

OP, has your friend contacted the school to find out what the issue really is? what do THEY say? are they taking advice from the HV? if the child doesnt normally or indeed ever, use a wheelchair then to my mind, they are not justified in insisting she uses one on their premises.
what does the Local Education Authority say about this? it may be worth contacting them to ask what the guidelines are.
I have a feeling they contacted the gps surgery to ask about the childs condition and someone has exaggerated her problems. or they googled her condition and only have info on worst case.
I am sure your friend is at her wits end - perhaps you could do some research for her - such us looking up guidelines, or even emailing the education minister and asking him about whether the school can do this.

The school went to HV who agreed with school's suggestion of getting the chair even though it had never come up beofre in conversation.

I'm going to be up all night googling stuff! I'm determined to help in any way I can so if it means emailling the education minister, then I will!

xmaslolly76

Haven't got any usefull advice just want to offer my support and i hope you and the mother can get this sorted for the little girl asap. The mother has a wonderful friend in you :-)

andrealm

Hope your friend can get this sorted out. How often do they go on walks or trips anyway? If she's a small 4 year old a buggy could be used if they were going on a long trip,I really don't see why they think she needs a wheelchair?
Hopefully her paediatrician will back them up on this?
What will they do if she refuses to pay for half of the wheelchair?