teaching assistant and abusive child

[labrat]

asking on behalf of the wife whos at the end of her tether

 

theres one child in her class (5 years old) who has autism

 

now my daughter has autism but this child is at the deep end of the spectrum

 

it has now got to the point where my wife is thinking of asking for a doctors note

 

this childs kicking, biting, swearing, name calling, tried to tear off the wifes clothing

 

now if it happens to the teacher or the head it goes in a record of behaviour, for some reason this doesnt go down if it happens to a TA

 

any advice gratefull receaved

[renegadeimp]

Your wife should be able to refuse to teach the child. Especially if theres a danger to them or the child. Autistic children usually need specialist teachers

[Emmzzi]

I'm assuming the kid is under a SEN? What does it say?

 

Is your wife in a union? (I hope so!!) This is exactly the kind of situation they are useful in.

[uneverdid]

This is not acceptable regardless of the autism. Your wifes school has a duty of care towards her and she has a right to a safe working environment. In the authority I work we have to record on quite a complex form any incident like you are describing. We have had pupils suspended for less I know it sounds harsh but this sometimes is the only way for the child to get the correct support from outsides agencies. I hope your wife is ok.

[labrat]

im sorry it appears although i put autism the child is still under assesment

 

ive pushed her into talking to the head about it so we will see how that goes

 

she join unison a couple days ago we're just awaiting acceptance of everything

[Emmzzi]

The union generally will not represent you for issues that were ongoing when you joined - it's meant to be like insurance and you can;t insure a vandalised car after it's been vandalised.

 

Usual questions, whats her employment status, is she employed by the school directly or an agency, what's her length of service, how at risk is her job is she pushes it and how bad a position would you be in if she was pushed out - all risks to be considered.

[matt v atos]

im sorry it appears although i put autism the child is still under assesment

 

ive pushed her into talking to the head about it so we will see how that goes

 

she join unison a couple days ago we're just awaiting acceptance of everything

 

ive pushed her into talking to the head about it so we will see how that goes ?

[labrat]

The union generally will not represent you for issues that were ongoing when you joined - it's meant to be like insurance and you can;t insure a vandalised car after it's been vandalised.

 

the main issues only started after christmas break so a day or 2 after joining the union, she joined for the right to strike

 

Usual questions, whats her employment status

 

employed part time

 

is she employed by the school directly or an agency

 

school so county council staff

 

what's her length of service

 

10 years

 

how at risk is her job is she pushes it and how bad a position would you be in if she was pushed out

 

wouldnt think its too at risk and i pay all the bills

 

.

 

 

ive pushed her into talking to the head about it so we will see how that goes ?

 

she doesnt like rocking the boat but is in tears and at end of tether, ive just told her to ask politely why it doesnt go on the incident record and if there is a possibility of moving to a differnt class (doubtful as other 2 TA's already refuse to work with said child

 

hopefully helps

[Emmzzi]

and are you comfortable your own employment position is now stable? Seems not so long since you were suspended. Just taking the whole picture into account before you push her too hard!

 

As ever, I'd be happier if she were asking for advice directly....

[labrat]

and are you comfortable your own employment position is now stable? Seems not so long since you were suspended. Just taking the whole picture into account before you push her too hard!

 

As ever, I'd be happier if she were asking for advice directly....

my employment status is i returned to work with no disciplinary, and have arranged a transfer to a differnt department, under a differnt manager, with a better wage

[Emmzzi]

Ok. Can we go for "gentle support and encouragement to assert her rights" rather than "I've pushed her into" do you think?

 

I would be asking the union if they have a safety rep and for support on risk assessments.

[labrat]

ill ask

 

sorry i do tend to use language like pushed alot

[Emmzzi]

well stop it

 

Why not direct your wife to this board herself? Then she can make her own decisions on what she wants to do...

[matt v atos]

well stop it

 

Why not direct your wife to this board herself? Then she can make her own decisions on what she wants to do...

 

Yea I think so to!

[labrat]

shes spoken to the teacher

 

the parents of the child have been made aware

shes been given advice on it

 

she is still going to make the head aware

[martini682]

As an SEN teaching assistant myself, what you have said has appalled me! The school has a duty of care to both staff and students, no matter what their status within in the school is! Every incident should be logged, whether injury occurred or not. That is part of the course within school environments (or indeed any 'care setting'). Not only does it provide evidence of the child's behaviour patterns it also provides evidence and safeguarding for staff. I would urge your wife to read the schools policies, which should be kept in folders in the staff room or office or on the schools intranet. These are supposed to be readily available for anyone who wants to read them. She would particularly want to read any policies regarding to 'duty of care' and 'safeguarding'. This should give her some concrete knowledge on where she stands and would give her more insight into her rights. No-one should have to work under these conditions and it is something that annoys me more than anything that teachers (and more so headteachers) are under trained in dealing with children on the Autistic spectrum and do not set correct boundaries or disciplines relating to their individual circumstance. I have had to deal with this from both sides, as a TA working with and as a parent of a child who was bullied and beaten up regularly at primary school by an ASD child and knowing the fight I had with the headteacher to even get off the point of 'he is autistic' excuse! ASD is not an excuse, it is a disorder!!! There is a vast spectrum to autism but from what you are saying, this child seems to be fairly high functioning and needs to be dealt with accordingly, or if I am wrong in that respect, it seems they would be better at a special school who have staff who are specially trained and tend to be 2-1 rather than 1-1 in most mainstream schools.

 

Sorry seem to have gone off on a slight rant there but do hope your wife gets to the bottom of this and it gets sorted. I can relate to how she feels and no-one should have to be there!

 

Martini