School gave personal information about my child

turn2stone

Can a school give personal information about my child to anyone other than me or his father?

To cut a very long story short I moved away from my home town with my child and enrolled him into the local school in the new area.

His grandmother wasnt happy about me moving away at all and called the school to find out information about my child as she was building a court case against me for custody of my child.

She asked about his attendance, his work at the school, how he was getting on etc.

The school freely gave away this information.

Apparently the school had concerns about my child, he wasnt happy there according to them and my mother, and I only found out about all this when I recieved the papers served to me for me to go to court.

In the court papers my mother had listed all of her concerns about my child and it said in the papers that the school and sent a letter listing their concerns.

I have never seen this letter.

Once I recieved the court papers detailing the welfare of my son I went to the school trying to find out what was going on, I asked them if they had concerns about my son why did they not come to me? talk to me about it? raise any of it with me?

They told me that they could not talk to me about anything as they had already sent the letter to the court so could not talk to me.

Does any of this sound right? Can the school completely bypass the childs mother with concerns about the child and talk to the childs grandmother?

dottygirl

Hi Im sorry to read this. I have no idea how to help you however I would contact my local CAB for advice - they can also give you the numbers of local lawyers who may be able to help with a free half hour interview. I would write down any questions you have to make the most of your time. Take care x

poet123

I suspect the school were not asked directly by the grandparent but by her legal representative or by an external agency that they had consulted (they are not obliged to inform you if they think their concern could have repercussions on the child)

Tiddlywinks

Write to the Data Controller at the school and ask for full details of what was disclosed, to whom and why.

Then, if not satisfied, you can progress your grievance with the Information Commissioner.

susancs

The School were more than likely approached by the local authority who under the Children's Act 1989 section 17 and 47 can ask for information to be provided on the child when there are concerns about a child's wellbeing. The School do not have to obtain consent from a Parent to share information. The Data Protection Act covers this information sharing. It would be very unusual that the school would have provided information direct to your child's grandparent, it is more likely that Social services are following up concerns raised.

The Childrens Act 2004 also places a responsibility of any Children's services to put the welfare of the child first and refer any concerns to the local authority and whilst it may be good practice to discuss concerns with Parent's it is not a prequiste to a referal.

thorsoak

Rather than worry about the niceities of a school giving out information without my knowledge, I would be concentrating on refuting the evidence that is being put before the Court!

marisco_2

Usually when your child starts at a school you register the details with them of the people who have parental responsibilty. Any concerns regarding the welfare of a child should then be raised with the parents. However a school can contact a number of outside agencies, such as social services and the police if they consider a child to be at risk, they do not need to inform the parents that they are doing this.

It depends how your mother contacted the school. If she just did it directly then I am surprised that informtaion was released to her. However if a social worker contacted the school on your mothers behalf, in a professional capacity requesting information, then I think the school are obliged to co-operate.

puddy

is your mother a party to proceedings then? if so, then yes she could access this information via legal avenues, but as above you need to find out how and why this was accessed.

but i would also concentrate on the court case, sounds like there are issues which need your attention

meritaten

I too am wondering how the grandmother knew all this information if the school didnt give it to her directly. SS and other agencies shouldnt be blabbing this sort of info to others involved in the case surely?
Whats going on here? my grandkids school has the parents written authority to disclose information to me - otherwise I know that they wouldnt discuss any sensitive matters with me! The school were insistent on having written authority before I could be included in parent meetings or to represent the parents.
something smells - I suspect that the SS is colluding with the grandparent and if I were you hun I would get a darn good family law solicitor!
oh and that school sounds rubbish - to have so many concerns that the other party feels able to use them in court, WITHOUT once calling you in to discuss matters!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is DISGRACEFUL!

thegirlintheattic

Is your mother a emergency contact?

I know our school with discuss grades/behavior etc. with anyone named as a contact on our system which often includes grandparents.

marywooyeah

puddy wrote: »

is your mother a party to proceedings then? if so, then yes she could access this information via legal avenues, but as above you need to find out how and why this was accessed.

puddy from the OP it sounds as if the grandmother is the applicant, probably seeking a Residence Order. I think susancs' post is the most likely situation although I am very surprised that the school have refused to discuss their "concerns" with the OP.

OP, do you have a social worker and/or a cafcass officer involved in your case?