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BusyKids
06-01-2013, 03:45 PM
What sources of help are there if you think a child is not developing in line with expectations?
Thanks:D

Have done this now :rolleyes::thumbsup:

sarah707
06-01-2013, 03:54 PM
You need to go to parents and talk to them about it - if they refuse to listen then you write up your concerns and speak to them again... and again.

You cannot go to Health Visitors etc without their written permission.

If the child is around 2 then you will be writing something in the 2 year progress check - but again if parents choose not to hand it over because it is negative then there's nothing you can do to stop them.

Sometimes you feel like you are banging your head against a wall if parents do not listen and your experience and use of the eyfs means you know there is a problem :(

I hope everything is ok xx

Mrs Scrubbit
06-01-2013, 03:56 PM
First stop would be parents and hv imo x

LauraS
06-01-2013, 03:57 PM
Sounds like a coursework/exam/pre-reg booklet question to me ;)

I'd say, other settings the child attends, health visitor and GP, hospital, development officer, professional helplines, specialists (speech therapists etc), peer support, social workers, local authority generally, specialist support groups. Depends on from whose point of view, level of parent co-operation, what the problem is, what stage in the 'diagnosis' process etc etc.

BusyKids
06-01-2013, 04:00 PM
Thanks Sarah, so if the parents don't /won't acknowledge a problem we can't do anything? Could it then be seen as a safeguarding issue?

BusyKids
06-01-2013, 04:01 PM
Sorry cross posted, yes Laura :laughing:

sarah707
06-01-2013, 04:24 PM
Thanks Sarah, so if the parents don't /won't acknowledge a problem we can't do anything? Could it then be seen as a safeguarding issue?

Yes and no - it depends very much on the child and the concern - there are different levels of concern of course.

If you are worried because a 2 year old is not walking - and you know they are carried everywhere at home and actively discouraged from walking because mum wants to keep the child as a baby - is that a safeguarding issue??

If a 2 year old is not walking because they have a physical disability and parents refuse to get help and avoid all offers of medical support - is that a safeguarding issue?

If you have a child and you know - because of past experience - that there is a hearing problem but mum refuses to listen to you and you watch the child having more and more problems with communication - is that safeguarding or do you just do your best with the child and hope it's picked up when they get to school???

Who would be interested if you report it as a safeguarding issue? Remember you cannot go to the Health Visitor without parents permission... you can ask for confidential advice but that will tell you to speak to parents!

You would struggle to have a case if you rang the local safeguarding children board - they are way too busy looking after children who are being seriously abused ... and they can barely cope with that from what we were told at my last training session.

And of course if you push it with parents what are they likely to do if they have their heads firmly in the sand? They will leave you!

As you can see it's a bit of a minefield :(

watgem
06-01-2013, 08:41 PM
I have recently had some issues with this but was lucky to have a cluster meeting with our area senco who explained that we cannot seek any help without parental consent, and that sometimes it feels that you are banging your head against a brick wall, however she went on to explain that parents can often go through a grieving process similar to that felt in bereavement, including a period of denial, and that these stages can last for months or years before they are ale to move on to the next stage. She suggested that in these instances you do the very best for the child within your capabilities and the remit of the eyfs, but you may have to accept that for the period of time that the child is with you the parent may be in this position. She also explained that sometimes if you can explain that you need more help and support with working to the best of your ability with their child, it makes it seem that you are the one with the problem iyswim, and can help them see another side and therefore sometimes they may then agree to give consent.

BusyKids
06-01-2013, 10:13 PM
Thanks for the replies. Its tough isn't it, I guess I'll learn as I go along. I certainly don't want to waste anyone's time.