Registered User
unexplained absences
I thought there was a point where the school has to report unexplained absences or very frequent absences.
If 4 kids from the one family ranging from year 3 to 11 are away regularly once or twice a week for no reason surely that rings alarm bells?
It's a matter of "we slept in" and then the mother is refusing to drive the kids to school late.
It's getting beyond a joke or should I just stay out of it?
It's DH sister I'm talking about. Can't believe she's now trying for a 6th
Registered User
I'm not sure who they (the school) report it to? I know if the child/children are neglected/abused DOCS (?) get called in but if they are just missing school I don't know what or who can do anything.
I don't know if you should become involved b/c it may cause family issues. How would you approach it/what would you say?
Registered User
Can you have a chat with her?
The school should probably have addressed it if it's a regular issue, chances are they have and she's just not listening?
I would probably ask if maybe she needs a hand or if the kids can walk to school or get a lift with someone on days she's not up to it?
sorry no help, personally i'd just have a quick chat about it with her
Registered User
The school should be reporting to DOCS if there are large numbers of absences. Legally kids must attend school (or be homeschooled) and large number of absenses are often a sign that there is more wrong here.
I think you should tread carefully and if you do choose to become involved I agree with Zarava- I'd do it from a place of asking if she needs help. Mums can be quite overwhelmed at times. Maybe there is more to this than her being a "lazy" parent. Maybe she needs help, even just someone to talk to?
Registered User
lol yeah chatting to her isn't really an option.
I thought when we had DD's induction for school they were talking about some person involved with the school who handled absences and all that. Maybe it's just a nsw thing.
They are in QLD, she's already organised someone else to take the older 3 to high school but he wont wait if they aren't ready because he has work..fair enough IMO.
They have a car, she doesn't work and is just plain lazy and neglectful, all the kids are failing school.
I've known her for 11 years and she is just lazy.
BellyBelly Life Subscriber
What does her DH think of them missing so much school?
How far away are you from the family?
BellyBelly Member
Depending on size, schools will have an attendance officer, or it will be up to the admin to chase absences up. A lot of schools use an sms system daily, and then will follow up with 'please explain' letters after a certain number of absences has occurred. If parents respond to these sms/letters with excuses for their kids, absence becomes explained. Theoretically, kids have to attend 80% of all classes to graduate - not sure if the requirement is the same in lower school/primary school, it's probably similar - so most schools should inform parents if their child is at risk of falling below the 80%. If the parent has already explained these absences, this may only happen at the end of term or semester when reports are sent out.
If absences remain unexplained, and the school is unable to get a response from the parents, then follow up will happen externally.
Not sure if that helps at all. I'd be very surprised if she hasn't had a fair bit of contact with the school already over this.
Registered User
Her partner is only the father to the youngest 2 and not the one driving them to school he doesn't care as much as she doesn't. Half the time he doesn't bother going to work.
We're in sydney they are in brisbane.
When I first met her she only had 3 kids and even then her kids weren't going to school regularly, so its nothing new.
Her parents have a go at her from time to time but she shrugs it off and simply doesn't care. Her parents even moved closed to the school to help her out so the kids could go there after school. She's always had offers of help, even when we lived 5 mins away from her I use to go around there if it was raining because the kids couldn't walk to school and she refused to drive them so I would take them. They have since moved further away from the school and instead of changing schools she's left them at the school further away so now they can't even walk.
Registered User
They are definitely not there 80% of the time. I would say they are missing from school 40% of the time.
BellyBelly Member
It's a tough one. I doubt that you'd get any info about the kids if you rang the school, but you could tell them your concerns. If she's been making what seems like valid excuses for them up to this point that may prompt further investigation. Obviously you live too far away to be a taxi service for her. Maybe there is a school bus service that could be used?
She sounds like hard work. It's awful when parents just don't care.
BellyBelly Member
Can't remember who the school has to report to (will find out from DF) but the parents now will be prosecuted if there is unsatisfactory attendance. A number of parents at my DF's school are going to court shortly for their kids not being at school. Maybe if you tell your SIL that she might move her butt and drive the kids to school. Otherwise she can tell her excuses to a judge.
Registered User
I know that it varies from school to school. Some schools only contact the parents, in case the children are skiving. Sometimes the authorised absences don't seem so great, but when they're all put together (half a day here, half a day there) then it adds up and the parents aren't doing the adding up. If you contact the school with concerns they should follow it up though.
Registered User
Don't you lose parenting payments for too many absences?
Registered User
If you know the school, contact that, it is there duty of care to follow it up. For my DSS we got a phone call from the school asking to explain of they haven't been there a few times.(and I'm in qld)
If you don't know the school contact centerlink. It is a legal requirement
Love MN ;-)
Registered User
I'm a teacher and I have a situation like this at the moment.. the teacher will report it to the school and then the school may call Doc's or put a complaint in if there is sufficient evidience that something "more" may be going on at home. Usually Doc's doesn't do anything unless there is a serious problem.. afterall we are talking about the government! Where I teach the teacher can make this complaint but usually it takes quite a lot for anything to happen about these situations.
The school should have contacted the parents many times and should make a home visit (like we do at my school), but I wouldn't suggest you get involved as the school will not listen to you in most cases. If they are aware there is an issue they will not tell you or the parents a complaint has been made with Doc's. It's possible Doc's has a case building for them at the moment and the parents don't know. It would vary state to state.
Registered User
I've called Doc's before in relation to another matter so they are "in the system".
I just wish they would do something rather than sitting around waiting, the other matter was quite serious and I can't believe how they (Doc's) handled it.
I'm watching my nieces and nephew slip further and further behind and there's nothing I can do. Its even more frustrating because the family that is in Brisbane practically do and say nothing about it. It's another "abuse" swept under the rug in that family.
Registered User
As a primary school teacher in Sydney I can probably explain how this works in NSW public schools.
The school teacher has to fill in a roll which will get sent to the office to be put onto a database.
Every term the HSLO (Home School Liason Officer) should visit the school and do an audit of the class rolls. If at any time school teachers start to notice a pattern or a situation like you are referring to then they should report it to the Deputy Principal who will notify the HSLO. The HSLO will then be in contact with the parents and get on to them about attendance at school. Basically they will ring every day if that is what it takes and they even have the power to go and pick up a student from their house if a parent is not allowing their child to attend school.
Do not call DOC's. This isnt their area yet and are overloaded as it is so there are other avenues that it is reported to first. My advice would be to call the Deputy Principal at the school, notify her/him of what you are aware is happening with the children's mum and the absences and ask for it all to be checked in to but you can remain anonymous (in other words, tell the DP who you are but they do not have to pass on that you called up to talk about it with them). They will then call the HSLO, let them know and if the attendance is deemed unsatisfactory then they will deal with it by puting measures in place to assist mum to get the kids to school and make her understand the importance of attendance and being on time.
I have expressed concerns to my DP before about children's attendance and had the HSLO onto it within a few days.
Here is a link to the NSW DET policy on attendance https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/...20050259.shtml
All policies should be available at each child's school office if anyone wants to view it
If you need anymore info let me know or send me a PM.
It is fantastic that you are concerned and that these kids have someone looking out for their best interests.
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