Child left alone unconscious at school...how do I get them to listen to me???

Hi All,

you may have read previously that my son, 12 ,suffers from a rare and severe form of migraine called Acute Confusional Migraine. When he has an episode (currently three times a day but can be up to ten times in a day) it looks a lot like epilepsy and he falls unconscious during the attack.

He has had several of these attacks at school ... and to my deep concern it turns out that during some attacks he is being left in a room on his own.

No-one can tell me exactly how long my son was unconscious for on Tuesday when he was found unconscious and having an attack by a staff member. When I challenged a senior staff member about the deeply inappropriate nature of the situation she dismissed my son's attack and said "he wasn't thrashing about THAT much..." It did not seem to bother her that he was alone and unconscious and she does not seem to be taking my son's illness seriously.

I have told the school everything about my son's condition and management. We have a protocol drawn up by the School Doctor and it says that he should not be left alone during a migraine. Aside of any protocol, on a human level, why would anyone think it's OK to leave a child -whom you know falls unconscious during attack- alone, when they are telling you an attack is on its way???

I'm meeting someone from school later today and will bring it up then but in the meantime - any thoughts anyone???

with thanks,

Maureen

WHAT do I have to say to them or do to make them listen?

OMG hunny that is not good. I would insist on seeing the head master AND the governors together (the heads hate governors being present) and make it quite clear that if they have not followed the guidelines laid down by the doctor and that this is a breach of duty and care and they need to get their act together, or you will make a formal complaint. If the Govenors do not sort it out you can complain to the local authority, then the secretary of state and then Ofsted. There is also a Local Government Ombudsman.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/YourChildsWelfareAtSchool/DG_4016106

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DevolvedAdministrations/DG_4003604

I do hope the meeting went well today - but you can always follow it up with a letter.

Hugs

tee

I am so shocked but after my own dealings with school and my kids this lack of awareness and the safety of children does not sadly surprise me.

I assume there is some sort of care plan in place for your son that has to be updated at least every school year? They are really on such dodgy ground and I am so sorry you and your son have to go through this.

Is there a CAF in place for your family (Common assessment framework in England..maybe called something else for you). Basically all involved professionals have to get together and discuss care practices and ensure inclusiveness? I am laughing as I type cause I know what rubbish they spout...however at least if someones not pulling their weight it's embarrassing to be exposed in front of other professionals.

You may also want to contact the national autistic helpline as they have an educational welfare advice centre (I know this isn't strictly an AS issue but I am sure they would help). If you haven't already done so Parent partnership are really useful to have on board and are independent.

Please let us know how you got on we are thinking of you.

JAne
xxxx

This is shocking to read. A teach is an advocate of children in her care not just scholastically. As others have stated I am not surprised though saddened anyone especially and educated person whose chosen field is with children. And what arrogance to say, "he was not thrashing much.". The only reason that teacher or any adult should leave a child in a such a case would be to call for help. What is wrong with people? Tee has given excellent advise, I hope it has helped. My cousin's dau has some medical issues and has had similar problems with her school in Missouri, USA so you are not alone....though this does not make it any better. Gutter

Keep us informed please.
Jerri

Dear All,

thank you so much for your advice...it's given me a few good places to start, thank you.
First off I've got the doctor ringing school to reiterate the nature of my son's condition and how important it is not to leave him on his own...hopefully that should help.

I've got a meeting with a chap in the education department and I'll mention what's been going on to him and see what happens.

We have a CSP but they have completely messed up on that one and are having to make some rapid adjustments and I've had an apology from someone in the education department as they have got it badly wrong. We were told our son's old one expired when we sent him to private school and would have to reapply when he came back to mainstream, and not only that couldn't have one as my son was in the LIAP process (similar to CSP but no statutory duty) but it turns out the CSP has been open all along and the council/school neglected to review it....and we could have had better support for our son a long time ago...aagh! I'm tearing my hair out with their shenanigans.

Anyway, we are lucky to have a good rapport with most of the people involved in my son's care and mostly they do a good job and are very committed to my son's wellbeing.

Unfortunately in my experience there are a few who sometimes find their way into schools/education etc with the purpose of meeting their own needs rather than those of the child, and it is those who cause the greatest distress and suffering.

Thanks again everyone, it's great to have your support,

best wishes

Maureen

arrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want to scream so god only knows what you want to do.......

But at least you got an apology and what looks like progress on a promise to help....... will they also be able to help on the funding for the one to one support he had last year?

Do let us know how you get one - thinking about you both...

xx

Thanks Tee....
....I know, just a fiasco!

However...my son has had two health appointments today and has had an attack in each appointment. Both the consultant (psychiatrist) and school nurse with whom the appointments were, were visibly shocked at what they saw. Not a nice thing for my son to have happen today but it seems that them witnessing the attacks has helped speed things up-various phone calls being made today. I don't think they realised how bad it was for my son when he has the attacks.

Sorry this is brief but my son's not feeling great, I'll have to go,

have a nice (migraine-free) weekend Tee, thanks for your message

Big hugs to you both..I bet your big book of lists and people is growing by the minute.
I have my own now, thanks for that advice it came in jolly handy recently.
You must get so tired just chasing these fools to get them to do their jobs..for heavens sake it's a nightmare...and they all just leave you in the middle of it all like some ping pong ball being batted about.
Well done for hanging in there you are doing a tremendous job, I hope your son's condition calms down and you get some resolution soon with education.
Let us know how you are doing if you get the chance and take care

JAne
xx