What can you do when your child is not attending school? There are several people who can help you can help. Together with school, compulsory education and the partnership we look for a suitable solution together.
The school or the school board where your child comes from has duty of care. That means the school should ensure that your child gets a suitable place. Even if extra guidance is needed.
If your child is 5 years and 1 month old, he is subject to compulsory education. If your child is (too) often absent from school or does not attend school at all, school will involve the school attendance officer. You can toocontact the school attendance officer. Who will work with you to see how your child can best return to education. More information can be found u here.
We will work with you to find a suitable solution. This may be tailor-made education at home. Or at a care institution or with youth support together. There are also intermediate facilities for children who have a care requirement in addition to extra support. Such as children undergoing temporary treatment for youth aid. Or children who need a lot of care so that education is only a small part of their daily routine. They can be given a tailor-made educational care programme, for example at a care farm.
Sometimes education is not (yet) possible. Then your child may be enrolled at one of the appropriate children's day centres.
A school may not just refuse a child. Not even because your child needs extra help. The school must have a good reason for not admitting a child. First, find out what reason the school has. Sometimes it is not entirely clear. Ask the school to put the reasons for refusal on paper. That way, the school should also say exactly what the reasons are. Is your child indeed refused at a school because he needs extra help? For example, the school may say that there are already many children at school who need help. The school may also say that it thinks they cannot provide the right help. Do you agree with school? Then look at another school. The school that refused your child will help you with this. The school is obliged to do so, but you may also look for another school yourself.
Do you disagree with school? Then you can submit your situation to the Disputes Committee for Appropriate Education. The disputes committee will then check whether the school has taken the right steps.
A school may not simply remove a child. The school must follow laws in doing so. Before the school decides to remove a pupil from school, the school board must talk to the pupil's parents so that they have a chance to respond.
A pupil may not be removed from school until the school board has found another school where the pupil can be placed. When a school intends to remove a pupil, the school must consult with the Education Inspectorate. A discussion must be held with the Education Inspectorate on how the pupil can continue education during but also after the suspension.
Do you want to object? You can, just do it no more than six weeks after the decision. Submit the objection in writing to the school board of the school. The school will give the parent the opportunity to explain the objection orally. The school must then let you know within four weeks whether it will reconsider or uphold the decision. During this objection procedure, the school board may refuse the pupil access to the school. However, the school must ensure that this pupil can continue to receive education.
You can also visit thearbitration committee for appropriate educationjustified if your child is removed. This can be done at the same time as filing an objection.
Our homelessness coordinator Tamara Dekker can advise you and the school on how your child can return to education. You can contact her by email: t.dekker@swvamsterdamdiemen.nl
SWV PO Amsterdam Diemen will not be accessible from Wednesday 16 July 2025 to Friday 15 August 2025. You can call us again on Monday 18 August from 9:00. Have a nice holiday!