Being taken to court Child not going to school

maman

Obviously it's your choice what you post but if this child isn't your responsibility then it's difficult to understand why you could lose your job.

I'm surprised that both the school and Social Services are taking such an apparently inflexible stance on this. There is a known condition of school refusal.

I don't recall the proper term but there should be people available to support you at meetings. All I can suggest is that you tell it like it is at any meetings and ask for support for the child and the family.

onwards&upwards

GP, child needs help, it’s normal for a 12 year old to want to skip school, not normal for them to become violent and for it to go this far.

sebastianj

Thank you, maman, Mojisla
As I stated I am only trying to help a clueless lady, she is the mother of the child. She is worried that if taken to court she may loose her job.
I have conveyed all the messages to her, I am not sure if it will help but such is life.
Many thanks.

74jax

sebastianj wrote: »

Thank you, maman, Mojisla
As I stated I am only trying to help a clueless lady, she is the mother of the child. She is worried that if taken to court she may loose her job.
I have conveyed all the messages to her, I am not sure if it will help but such is life.
Many thanks.

The messages are mainly further questions, did she offer any answers so we can try and help? Otherwise it's meaningless.

sebastianj

74jax thanks, no reason from the child was offered otherwise we will have taken steps to resolve. Perhaps she is just lazy.
Mother is facing consequences and she doesn't care. It is the mother's options need exploring.
Thanks

maman

sebastianj wrote: »

74jax thanks, no reason from the child was offered otherwise we will have taken steps to resolve. Perhaps she is just lazy.
Mother is facing consequences and she doesn't care. It is the mother's options need exploring.
Thanks

Your original post was confusing as you'd written it as if you were the 'very desperate lady' rather than a friend or whatever asking for advice on her behalf.

Obviously, she's responsible for her child whatever the reason she's refusing to go to school. It could be bad behaviour, laziness or it could be an emotional/mental health issue. Whatever it is then she has to try to deal with it.

I'll repeat what I said earlier which is that I'm surprised that Social Services and the school are taking the harsh attitude that the way to deal with this is to take the mother to court for the child's non attendance rather than looking into why she's behaving like this.

If that's really the way it is then all I'd suggest is that she goes to court and pleads for help and support with the child. meanwhile she could go to her GP and ask for a CAMHS (Child Mental health) referral. It seems pointless asking you for clues as it's not your child but I'd want to know when this behaviour started so that I could look for possible triggers.

TheTalkingDead

The likely hood here in this scenario is that the child's Educational Welfare will be paramount to the LA, they probably will not seek to fine or imprison this lady, but will probably seek a Educational Supervision Order first, hence the LA panel, then if mum interferes or works against the system with a ESO in place, probably will refer it to the courts.

PlotOne

sebastianj wrote: »

Dear all.
A 12 year old child refuses to go to school, when I insist she becomes violent. I now have to appear infront of a panel and may be taken to court. I have recently got a part time job and am worried I may loose my job.

I have no idea how to handle this, who to speak to or what do. Any one out there who can help as an urgent matter. Please.
A very desperate lady.

Why are you having to appear in front of a panel when this is not your child or one that you appear to have any legal guardianship over? :huh:

PlotOne

sebastianj wrote: »

Thanks, I have done everything possible Social Services have been involved, they haven't been able to convince her either. She just does not care anymore. I have her stress and now court... I don't know what more can I do?

sebastianj wrote: »

This is a child of a separate lady otherwise I would have stated it. If you have any experience in the matter then please give an advice. Thanks

sebastianj wrote: »

Many thanks kingfisherblue. A similar situation like yours exists here. The child misses her dad who doesn't want to know her. The social services are aware of the situation but the Council legal rep. Says it is the law for the child to be in school, impression is given that they don't care how it is done.
After listening to the lady, I was trying to find a solution, for her. Home schooling could be an answer but I don't know how that will be implied. I am trying to help.

With social services already involved, then tell them of your concerns over the lack of care the mother has.

And I would then keep away from her, as far away as possible. :cool:

maman

PlotOne wrote: »

Why are you having to appear in front of a panel when this is not your child or one that you appear to have any legal guardianship over? :huh:

AFAIK the OP is posting on behalf of the mother so it's she who has to appear. It is confusing though as original post was written almost in first person and few questions have been answered.