[OneProudMum]

Child is primary school aged and rarely goes to school. Parents don't care.

Would you dob them in? If so, where do you go for assistance?

[howdo]

I would ring the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line in your state because it's Neglect.

Kidshelpline has a list of agencies for each state.

http://www.kidshelp.com.au/grownups/gettin...child-abuse.php

[Funnington]

Child is primary school aged and rarely goes to school.

Wouldn't the school be required to report that?

[EssentialBludger]

If he rarely goes to school I'm sure the school would have already reported it as they are required to do so.

[OneProudMum]

I would have thought so too but it has been going on for months off and on (takes weeks off at a time and also randomly leaves school and walks home without notice) but nothing has happened. I would estimate that she would attend school 10-20% of the required time.

This post has been edited by OneProudMum: 09/12/2012, 06:03 PM

[steffijade81]

Im sure the school is aware and perhaps there is something going on that you don't know about and that the school is aware of? Maybe she is being partially homeschooled?? Has an illness?? Do you know the situation well??

[Jillian_10]

I expect the school is entirely aware if the child is at school then leaves. What age is the child?

Often these situations can be something very complicated. I knew an 11 year old who would not attend school for the better part of a year. The parents were extremely caring, but there was nothing they could do to force the child to stay in school. It was a horrible situation, and as it continued for so long it may have appeared that they didn't care, as it wasn't resolved.

If the child is being moved around the countryside and attends different schools every term, it's a different thing entirely.

[OneProudMum]

The child has behavioural issues. She left the first school she was at due to personality clashes with other children and they moved her to another school but nothing has changed. Her behaviour has become increasingly worse but there has been very little done in terms of seeking help and support.

There is a lot going on in the home, but it seems the parents are doing very little to sort the school issue out.

For eg. One morning she was meant to go to school but instead rung a relative and told them she wanted to spend the day with them and they obliged so she spent the day at their home and then rung her parent up close to the end of the day to get picked up there instead of school and there was no repercussions for not going to school.

[feliz6]

I'm sure you can report it. Perhaps what might give the report more strength is if you have witnessed what the child does during school hours e.g. are they being actively supervised? As pp have Said the school is legally obliged to report non attendance and also take steps to encourage attendance. I know of a primary school child who attended school less than 10 days this year. It was reported. No follow up occurred.

[howdo]

Whether or not the school knows about it is irrelevant. All that will happen is that the information will be added to the child's confidential file. It's the size of that file and the actions being taken that determine when CPS step in.

All OP needs to do is add her piece of the puzzle by making a report.

The school will be working on it from their end but you simply don't know if a) the school has rigorous procedures in place for attendance, b) they have gotten to the Mandatory reporting stage yet or c) agencies are involved.

By ringing the report line yourself it might flag a situation that has not been pieced together yet or it may assist the school to address the poor attendance.

If you know and have the information, make the call.