DfE is ‘criminalising parents’ in England, say families still shielding from Covid

April Booth and her son Casper. She risks a fine of £2,500 or three months in prison for keeping him away from his school while case numbers are high. Photograph: handout

Will Coombs (not his real name) has to test the blood of his 10-year-old son, Jamie, every two hours, even at night. Jamie has brittle diabetes, a rare form of type 1 diabetes that causes severe swings in his blood sugar levels. Before the pandemic he was hospitalised after catching a cold; on another occasion, with a stomach bug.

The family decided to home school their three children to keep Jamie safe from Covid. His hospital consultant supports the family’s decision. But the government is threatening them with fines or prosecution if the children do not return to class.