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Son allowed out of school to go missing

NAS90815

I’m after some advise as to wether I’m over reacting or not. 

my Son is 12 he is diagnosed ASD & ADHD has recently left main stream school for a independent special needs school. 

last week he went missing on 3 occasions, on the 3rd occasion the school opened a secure gate to allow him to leave as they felt he was upset & had the potential to become violent. 

my concern is that the school allowed him to leave a safe area - he didn’t return home & went missing we reported him missing to the police & I made a complaint to the school as we was not in the area at the time to look for him so was extremely worried. 

the response I received from the school was if I’m not happy don’t bring him back & that the school is not a prison. 

Am I over reacting at the fact they allowed my autistic son to leave a safe environment to go missing not following or contacting the local authority’s. I even rang the school later that that day to tell them  he’s still missing & the response I received was to give them a call when he turns up ? 

iv taken him out of the school until they can demonstrate to me it’s safe for him to return 

Parents

  • The school may be technically correct in that they may not be able to prevent your son from leaving - although they should try to reason with him and persuade him not to. Staff are not generally allowed to use force to detain a student. If he leaves they should contact you (or a designated contact) immediately. If they think he is at risk they should call the police. The fact that your child has SEN and has absconded before means that there should have been some sort of risk assessment. Typically policies require the school to contact parents (or the named emergency contact) immediately, and if the child is "vulnerable" to inform the police. A 12-year-old with ASD and ADHD who was upset and there were concerns regarding violence should probably be considered vulnerable.

    Do you know why your child keeps absconding?  Have the school asked him?  If he is found by the police they should carry out a "safe and well" interview. Above all, try to talk to him once he - and you - have calmed down. Why did he leave?

    If your child is still a registered pupil at the school, you are possibly breaking the law by keeping him out of school. That's why I recommend contacting your local education authority and say you wish to discuss a safeguarding concern regarding your child's school. If the LEA is paying for your child's place they need to be informed of your concerns. Even if you are paying privately the local authority still has a safeguarding role. You need the school to keep your child safe ... or maybe find another school.

    {Disclaimer: The above does not constitute legal advice - for that, you should contact a specialist advice centre, or a legal professional.}

Reply

  • The school may be technically correct in that they may not be able to prevent your son from leaving - although they should try to reason with him and persuade him not to. Staff are not generally allowed to use force to detain a student. If he leaves they should contact you (or a designated contact) immediately. If they think he is at risk they should call the police. The fact that your child has SEN and has absconded before means that there should have been some sort of risk assessment. Typically policies require the school to contact parents (or the named emergency contact) immediately, and if the child is "vulnerable" to inform the police. A 12-year-old with ASD and ADHD who was upset and there were concerns regarding violence should probably be considered vulnerable.

    Do you know why your child keeps absconding?  Have the school asked him?  If he is found by the police they should carry out a "safe and well" interview. Above all, try to talk to him once he - and you - have calmed down. Why did he leave?

    If your child is still a registered pupil at the school, you are possibly breaking the law by keeping him out of school. That's why I recommend contacting your local education authority and say you wish to discuss a safeguarding concern regarding your child's school. If the LEA is paying for your child's place they need to be informed of your concerns. Even if you are paying privately the local authority still has a safeguarding role. You need the school to keep your child safe ... or maybe find another school.

    {Disclaimer: The above does not constitute legal advice - for that, you should contact a specialist advice centre, or a legal professional.}

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