TA being attacked daily by Reception child - speak up or not?

[FizzyCherry]

I have to be careful not to be too identifying but I am a Reception TA. We have a new child in the class who is already on his third school since September.
He is too young for any kind of formal assessment (apparently) but we have other children with similar statements so not sure about that.
Every single day he is punching, kicking and biting adults and children, completely unprompted. For example, he will be sitting looking at a book, unprompted he will throw it at another child and hit them or kick out. Or he kicks adults as they walk past.
He obviously has lots of problems so it’s not his fault per se, but we have been told to manage it by taking him out to the playground or by giving him extra stickers.
My concern is that if he injures an adult while alone with them, it won’t be properly dealt with.
Now the other children are starting to ask why they can’t get the same rewards.
Plus, the majority of time is spent with him, meaning the rest of the class miss out on the attention I am paid to give them.
He is 99% likely to be diagnosed with something on the spectrum in time, which then allows extra help to be put in place but in the meantime, would I BU to demand more is done?
To do so would involve essentially questioning the judgement of both the SENCO and the head, who are both far more qualified in these things than me. And, remember, he’s FOUR. And I’m an adult.
Just for context, this is a mainstream primary school where I’ve worked 12 years, not a special school where this is more expected.
I have had naughty children before but never on such a constant and excessive scale.
Or would you just let it go, put it down to an occupational hazard, knowing he will soon either be moving to another class or possibly excluded?
I am debating walking out if something isn’t done, but the head is V unsupportive and I think she will say that’s fine, we’ll get someone else.
Other adults have complained about the situation but he’s not in their class so it’s seen as “my” issue to deal with.
WWYD?
I love my job and the school, I don’t want to leave but if I threaten to, it will probably mean that I have to.

[childmindingmumof3]

Are you officially recording every time you are attacked?

[bridgetreilly]

The head and SENCO aren't in class with him all day every day. Record everything for a few days then send them the list and request that action be taken because you are not able to do your job under these circumstances.

[PoptartPoptart]

The school have a duty of care to keep staff and the other children safe.
Does the class teacher support your concerns? I presume she can see what is happening too?
Senco and SLT may take it more seriously if you both raise the issue as a safety concern.
They will also take notice if they start getting complaints from other parents.

[Plastictattoo]

What does your teacher say about what is happening?

[BlondeB83]

Parent power is the way forward here, if he is hurting other children tell them to take it further. It may force the school into reconsidering what they are doing for this child.

[Neolara]

I would be asking for SENCo support. Ed psych involvement? Maybe positive handling training? Is there a clear plan for what to do if he starts getting violent? Presumably teacher should lead on this.

[DinkyDaisy]

A school worth its salt would be offering support during assessment process.
Some schools are not good at dealing with children with extra needs- they will probably try and shunt him to a more inclusive school to keep am easy cohort.
Not fair but maybe best for the child if school not willing to support.

[BlondeB83]

It’s also important you get the class teacher on board with you.

[ShutUpRobert]

It may seem completely unprompted but you can bet something is stressing him. If you jot down every instance, it will help, when he is assessed, draw attention to what situations tip him over.

He isn't too young for assessment. I'd say record everything in writinv for you and for him.

[HolyMountain]

Parent power is the way forward here, if he is hurting other children tell them to take it further

This is utter bollocks, no member of staff from that school with any kind of professional standing would discuss a particular child with other parents.

[BathshebaKnickerStickers]

I am a TA in P1. I get attacked every day.

It hurts

A lot

It feels ridiculous filling in a form saying “age of assailant” and filing in “5”.

But I must

It will help his assessment which will help the child.

And help you.

Even if you need to stay back every day to fill in the forms

[Minestheoneinthegreen]

Where's the class teacher in all this?
I agree, it is not acceptable, but as the adults it is your job to help shape his behaviour. Are there targets and a plan in place? Are his parents involved? He sounds like a very sad and stressed out little boy.

[LimonViola]

YANBU at all! I don't know the answer, but you absolutely need to be getting support to manage and control this for your own safety even if you can't just make him stop.

Nobody deserves to be assaulted at work, and in jobs where it's sometimes inevitable (care homes, working with people with LD, psychiatric hospitals, prison for example) there needs to be a full thorough risk assessment and for staff not to be left alone one on one with the perpetrator.

Please don't feel you have to just put up and shut up because the perpetrator in this case is a trouble child who needs support.

[MiniEggMeister]

What childmindingmumsaid. Also is there a risk assessment in place? If other adults have complained they should be taking it seriously, do they have anything in place other than stickers or extra play?

A diagnosis should not be needed for extra help, extra help should be based on need, so if the school aren't doing this they are letting down the child, the staff and all the other children.

[chocolateiamydrug]

reception is not too old to.be assessed. my child was diagnosed at 3 with ASD.

Also, you do not need a diagnosis to get extra support in school - this should be based on the child's need. Sound like he is being let down by yet another school.

Is the Senco involved? why does school do any referrals or apply for an EHCP?

[LimonViola]

Every day BathshebaKnickerStickers? Really? I'm horrified for you.

Why? Can you tell me a bit more? Is it an atypical group of kids?

[HolyMountain]

I’ve been in this situation very recently.

Getting the right professionals in to assess and help the children costs time and money, when they’re not of official school age( a term after there 5th birthday) no one wants to know.

You need to document and record everything but without a supportive Head you,that child and the other children continue to suffer.

[fleshmarketclose]

He isn't too young for assessment,dd and ds had autism diagnoses by 2 and a half and statements at three. Encourage the parents to apply to the LA for an EHCP assessment,I'm surprised that wasn't started once he had to move from his first school tbh

[LimonViola]

And hopefully it goes without saying, but thoroughly record every single instance.

[RafikiIsTheBest]

You can't actively encourage parents to complain but if any parent mentions something to you or complains to you, I see no reason why you can't suggest they take it up with the head either in person or by email.

Not sure if it's the same for all areas but I know the area I'm in the child has to be in that setting (either school or nursery) for two terms before a full assessment can be done. If he keeps changing schools this might mean it's never done. I spend some time working with a year 2 child who has never been in one school longer than a term (been with us for just under 1 term). He's not aggressive by any means but is developmentally on par typical nursery age children at best. School budget doesn't allow for one to one for him all the time, not without any government funding specifically for him which won't be put in place until a complete assessment says what his needs are.

In the meantime, I'd keep track of his behaviour and ability as best as possible as it will be helpful for his assessment when it comes time and also keep the head and SENCo up to date with issues (and class teacher daily).

[FizzyCherry]

I am filling in forms every single day. Last year, I filled in two all year. Last Monday I filled in three, all for him (we have a policy to report within two hours).
It’s because of the forms that the “plan” has been put in place to take him out if he plays up.
The teacher is also being attacked but on a lesser scale because she does less one to one work.
She mostly manages the others while I deal with him.

MiniEgg extra help costs money, unfortunately.....

[Ssssurvey]

Agree with posts to record all incidents with a time and date starting from now. As well as being useful in helping towards an assessment, you may start to recognise triggers and this may help to avoid future incidents. Look up behaviour abc chart on the national autistic society website, it's useful for behaviour management for any child. Good luck

[Allthewaves]

It's all about money. Schools can't get enough ed psych hours, just look at the sen boards.

Keep a record and fill in reports every time you are physically injured. Does child even have an iep?

[BathshebaKnickerStickers]

@limonviola - i’m A P1 TA one to one for a severely autistic child in a mainstream setting.

He has very severe sensory processing disorder. A mainstream classroom is horrible for him.

You are doubting I mean every day.

I actually mean MULTIPLE times every day.

Very very distressed child.

[cansu]

There are a few things that stand out in your response:

1. hurting the other children - need to do a risk assessment and work out what are the triggers. It may seem unprompted but there will be a pattern. It may be what has happened before or anxiety about what is coming or unpredictable close contact or something. Look up ABC charts and start tracking what is happening, when and where.
   
2. hurting you. Ask for training on how to keep yourself safe. Work out a plan for what will happen if the child refuses to work or becomes aggressive. What are the warning signs of early distress?
   
3. Rewards - This is a non issue. Different children need different rewards. The teacher needs to explain in an age appropriate way why some things are more difficult for some children.
   
4. Banking on him being pushed out into a special school is not the right approach. He may be able to thrive as long as the school puts in the right support and gets to know his triggers and stresses. Working out what will work takes time. Remember that if he does have ASD he has a neurological condition that impacts on the way he interacts with others and he will have sensory problems too.
   

You clearly need support and more help with him and you are absolutely entitled to that. But it is part of your job as a TA to work with him to help him, but you shouldn't have to do this alone and without training and support.