Advice please : medication at school.

Brighton_belle

tooldle wrote: »

Can you explain what you mean when you say it has not worked. Is it changing the one time that hasn't worked, or the whole sequence being altered hasn't worked?

She already has, several times.

moomoomama27

tooldle wrote: »

Apologies op, I took the 10.35 time from your post 65. Can you explain what you mean when you say it has not worked. Is it changing the one time that hasn't worked, or the whole sequence being altered hasn't worked?

Again, it's the entire day of meds. She would have to get up at 6am to take the morning meds, which would alter the evening meds. The evening ones are actually IMO the most important ones not to muck about with, so really it has a knock on effect to the whole day. Her moods aren't as controlled, she's drowsier and more irritable. This balance really works for her, so we're loathe to start a whole new meds timetable, as we finally have achieved a good balance. It seems cruel for the sake of 30 mins to throw this all off!

Just as an update, I went to school with her this morning, couldn't attend a meeting as the head was unavailable, so said if they could assure me she'd be able to have her 11am meds then I'd leave her. Once again I got the same wishy washy response I previously had, so took her home and returned her at 11.05am after meds.

I've got a DRs appt in half an hour with her. CAMHs suggested getting a type of fit note to go with her medication detailing the absolute need for the timings to not be altered so hopefully, if we can get that, then the school really do have to follow it!

moomoomama27

Just a quick update.

We went to the GP, got the note to the effect that the meds must be taken at the time set. Had the meeting Monday, the heads concern was disruption, nothing else, couldn't really justify what any problems would be, but did say if we do it for one we'll be doing it for all, which I thought was very unprofessional, given the background!

He assured me the tutor would be spoken to and made aware to allow her to go and take her meds, so I thought all was dealt with, until 12.30pm Monday, when I get a tearful phone call saying she wasn't allowed to go and get her meds. Back to the school less than 3 hours later, and the excuse was they were in a reading session. I asked if it was an exam, or something she couldn't leave, (in the meeting we had discussed this and been told we would be given notice so we could come to a decision about how to deal with this, with school.) was told no, would just have disrupted the flow of the lesson.

She told me that afternoon she couldn't bear it anymore there, and could we think about looking elsewhere, Tues morn we had interviews at the local sixth firm college, she was accepted later that morning, with a meeting with the SEN about medications, to which she was told it will all be accommodated, no problems, all 4 tutors were there and all were shocked at her treatment. They were all very supportive and said other than exams , to which we would work together on the matter, there wasn't a problem her keeping her meds with her, and taking them at that time and wherever she felt comfortable doing it! Today she's started her first lesson!!

Now the dilemma, should I take issue with the school to protect other children and families from this blatant disregard of mental health illness, or leave it and move on?

Mojisola

moomoomama27 wrote: »

Now the dilemma, should I take issue with the school to protect other children and families from this blatant disregard of mental health illness, or leave it and move on?

I would send a letter all the governors, explaining why your daughter is leaving their school and suggest the governing body reviews the way children with mental health problems are treated and see whether you get any results from that.

lostinrates

I hope everything goes brilliantly for her from Now on. .

I'd certainly send the letter too.

rpc

FBaby wrote: »

Isn't it the same as an employer's duties when a person off sick is ready to come back to work, but arrangements need to be put in place?

No. A person who is merely "off sick" has no particular protection. A personal who has a protected characteristic (including certain mental illnesses) has statutory protection that is much much stronger. You can legally discriminate against someone as long as it is not on the basis of a protected characteristic. So someone who is merely not fit for normal duties could, assuming compliance with the rest of employment law, be discriminated against or have capability procedures instigated against them with much more ease than someone who is disabled and protected by the Equality Act.

moomoomama27 wrote: »

Now the dilemma, should I take issue with the school to protect other children and families from this blatant disregard of mental health illness, or leave it and move on?

I would. Start with the official complaints procedure, otherwise it can just be brushed under the carpet. You can escalate all the way to GTC/Ofsted but you must start with the school complaints procedure.

tooldle

Pleased to see you have found a solution.

*Robin*

moomoomama27 wrote: »

She told me that afternoon she couldn't bear it anymore there, and could we think about looking elsewhere, Tues morn we had interviews at the local sixth firm college, she was accepted later that morning, with a meeting with the SEN about medications, to which she was told it will all be accommodated, no problems, all 4 tutors were there and all were shocked at her treatment. They were all very supportive and said other than exams , to which we would work together on the matter, there wasn't a problem her keeping her meds with her, and taking them at that time and wherever she felt comfortable doing it! Today she's started her first lesson!!

Hooray! Moomoomama This is the best possible result for your DD; a fresh start - hope she does well at her new school (which sounds much more enlightened). :T

moomoomama27 wrote: »

Now the dilemma, should I take issue with the school to protect other children and families from this blatant disregard of mental health illness, or leave it and move on?

Yes. Please.

pollypenny

Yes, fresh start is by far the best. Hope it all goes well.

What do they mean by a 'reading session'?

Indie_Kid

I agree with taking this up with the school. There probably are (or maybe will be) children in the same situation.