DLA for child - none financial benefits.

princessdon

My DD has an illness I don't class as a disability but it does require extra care. I'm currently posting from the children's ward (well scan room as phones arent allowed on ward) which is where she's going to spend a lot of time till it settles down.

I'm not wanting advice on whether she's eligible as can read the criteria but more on whether it gives none financial advantages. We don't need the money but

She is and will miss a lot of school, would a DLA claim help with the school to provide extra catch up help?

Also there is a residential soon and the school have said they don't know if they can staff her needs medically (injections) even though she can inject herself with supervision.

Also her none urgent needs such as physiotherapy are now in school hours. I've been told that some will get this delivered in school but with a statement. She doesn't have one.

In short is there any none financial benefits that would allow her to maximise her education as although I'm a teacher I'm not much help with most of the curriculum and am worried her education will suffer. She's not going to be a long term in patient but will require a lot of day case and appointments in school hours that mean missing school.

Any advice regarding the above is appreciated.

Indie_Kid

Have you discussed the extra help with school?

princessdon

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Have you discussed the extra help with school?

Don't go there, it's where my frustrations lie. She doesn't have or need an education statement. The worker at the hospital suggested DLA and said "it can sometimes make them more flexible" hence my question.

I've a formal meeting with the school after half term I just want to have more info on what to ask and be armed with more information before this meeting.

cattermole

Very sorry to hear of your daughter's problems.

You already have another severely disabled child if I recall correctly or have I got that wrong?!

Health needs are on a different section of an Educational statement and the Education Authority has no duties to deliver it.

So you will need to liaise with the School Nurses in your area.

DLA has no bearing on educational needs or health needs in schools. So you have misinformed on this front.

School nurses have been cut back even to special schools. If her needs are primarily Health, then I think you best way forward is to speak to the Paediatric Community Nursing team so they can attend any meeting at the school as well.

I'm sure the hospital will help in this regard or the consultant involved.

princessdon

cattermole wrote: »

Very sorry to hear of your daughter's problems.

You already have another severely disabled child if I recall correctly or have I got that wrong?!

Health needs are on a different section of an Educational statement and the Education Authority has no duties to deliver it.

So you will need to liaise with the School Nurses in your area.

DLA has no bearing on educational needs or health needs in schools. So you have misinformed on this front.

School nurses have been cut back even to special schools. If her needs are primarily Health, then I think you best way forward is to speak to the Paediatric Community Nursing team so they can attend any meeting at the school as well.

I'm sure the hospital will help in this regard or the consultant involved.

I have no " disabled" children. I have a child with medical needs and this is the same child. Yes health needs are not considered, but disability needs are. Hence if claiming DLA can invoke them to consider her needs under equality.

The community nurses are not needed. Her medical needs are delivered via self care or hospital, but we are potentially looking at 2 days per week on average loss of school possibly long term.

They won't give access to a mentor or small group to help catch up as she has no educational needs. If she was registered disabled the hospital link worker said they would have to consider her needs under DDA

Indie_Kid

Aside from hearing and sight impairment, there's no such thing as registering disabled. She would be classed as disabled if she has a medical condition which affects her ability to carry out day to day activities. It, with a few exceptions, must last for at least 12 months. Day to day activities include walking and communicating.

princessdon

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Aside from hearing and sight impairment, there's no such thing as registering disabled. She would be classed as disabled if she has a medical condition which affects her ability to carry out day to day activities. It, with a few exceptions, must last for at least 12 months. Day to day activities include walking and communicating.

It does affect them. I know she'd get DLA at higher rate. The issue with school is that if she attended she would need zero help, there is no educational needs or adaptations needed. She doesn't need to catch up as she's well above age related expectations. The issue is long term absences will cause her grades to drop.

Even asking for work sent home that's not on the portal is being ignored.

cattermole

Sorry forgot to cover the physio side (normally they will train parents and/or staff) but they won't go in long term for a specific patient on a regular basis they are in too short supply. For example Special Schools all used to have resident physios now they don't. One will be shared across a very wide area covering special schools and mainstream.

Again the Paediatric Community Team should be able to advise.

cattermole

There is a register of disabled children with Social Services.

DLA has no bearing on DDA.

The responsibility to meets needs of "disability" remain. A benefit does not affect it.

Do you not have a Community Paediatric Service in Health?!

cattermole

Anyway sorry we crossed in the posts.

They normally have a home to school liaison person in the LEA's so what exactly do you want them to do? I'm unclear?

princessdon

cattermole wrote: »

There is a register of disabled children with Social Services.

DLA has no bearing on DDA.

The responsibility to meets needs of "disability" remain. A benefit does not affect it.

Do you not have a Community Paediatric Service in Health?!

She doesn't need health services. There is nothing the school nurse could do. Her needs NEED to be administered in hospital, or via community nursing at home, no health needs in school are needed, if well enough to attend school then nothing is needed.

The issue is that long term hospitalisation and regular hospitalisation don't come under education.

If she was a truant 50% of the time shed get loads of help but because she's ill and unable to attend school there is no help.

Those with SEN statements get support for none school time, medical issues get nothing.

We could be looking at less than 50% school attendance for life, but this isn't considered an educational priority.