Parent voluntary reader

[user1486416586]

Hello,

I'm new to mumsnet as I cannot find any information on the Internet with regards to whether as a Mum I should be informed a parent is now in my child's classroom and being a 'voluntary reader'.

This was only made aware to me through my son's year group social media page last night, the woman said she had spoken to the children and they had told her what they need with regards to book changes etc.

I am fuming!! Why on earth has a parent who's child is in the same class as mine been allowed to have access to my child without my prior knowledge? I had to find out on social media.

The reason I'm annoyed is my son has sen issues. What right has a fellow parent got to know them issues? I have read many articles today and it is suggested schools have parent readers in classes different to their child. Why on earth have the school done this, what makes it worse is this child has tormented my child for over a year!

Clever thinking on her behalf but I'm outraged.

Does anyone know if a school should tell you if a parent helper is around your child? I'm led to believe by a good TA friend children under the age of 14 you have to be made aware.

Please help!!

[MrsGsnow18]

I don't think they have to make you aware of any volunteers/students etc.She will have been police checked etc to volunteer in the school. I wouldn't imagine you'd be made aware if they hired a new teaching assistant for example.
It's maybe slightly unusual if her child is in the class, but prob more awkward for her child than anyone else.
If they were working one on one with your child for something like reading partnership or support in which they were withdrawing your child from class for extra reading then they would need your permission first.

[user1486416586]

Thank you I knew all that weirdly, I work in law. What worries me the most is I used to work in childcare, and the woman I'm talking about I know of previously. Her child who's in my child's class cut off a girls pony tail last year. She is using this as an opportunity to safeguard her presence. She is shifty, but I can't say the real reasons due to confidentiality. I am completely lost on what to do. Her son wound my son up so much last year to the point I said enough is enough. He avoided her son, then tonight my son said her boy had said he and his mum would bring cakes round. It's crazy I'm letting this woman around my son and have no idea how to get around it all 😢

[BertPuttocks]

I don't think the school has to tell parents. Posting anything about it on social media would be strictly forbidden at our school though. It's made very clear to all volunteers that they shouldn't post anything about the school.

I've worked as a reading volunteer in the past and no one ever gave me any confidential information about any of the children. All information was strictly on a need-to-know basis and I didn't need to know anything private or personal.

It may be worth asking your school if they have a policy for volunteers. Once you have that, you can see whether or not this is being followed. At our school they don't have people in their own child's class but I know of others that allow this.

[LIZS]

Normal ime. Not sure why sen comes into it, she should respect boundaries of confidentiality for each child.

[BackforGood]

No, of course the school don't have to tell you. They will do dbs checks, etc and have policies around lone working and so forth.
'Fuming' and 'outraged' seem a strong reaction - it is fairly normal to have reading volunteers in schools.
If you know any actual reason that would make this volunteer be unsuitable, then speak to the DSL at school.

[user1486416586]

I thought this forum would help. It hasn't. My child has sen issues I have not shared with other parents. Why are they allowed to work it the same class as their children? If you want to volunteer, do it for a different age group in the school. You are clearly not giving your kids the right space, and the school is failing if you choose to read to your child's class every week!!

[PerspicaciaTick]

Did you mean to start the same thread in two different topics asking the same question?

Perhaps you should consider asking MNHQ to remove one of them.

[user1486416586]

To the people that have judged me for my comments tonight, you have no idea what the 'parent volunteer' reader is like. I'll leave it at that all I asked was it legal for my 6 year old to be introduced to someone only wanting to raise their self image. She couldn't give two caps about her kids they've been banned from every childminder in town and also one has bullied my son. So judge all you want but I don't want anyone that hasn't got any sort of certification in primary school teaching around my son. I don't trust them.

[BackforGood]

Well, you are welcome to your opinion. Some schools have a 'not in your own child's class' policy and some don't. You would certainly be able to petition the management of the school about it, but you should be prepared that not everyone will agree with you.

[PerspicaciaTick]

Then you are going to have very long and difficult journey through primary school, and the only people who will really lose out will be your children.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Don't be bloody daft. Schools are crying out for volunteers. If they said you can't read in certain classes they'd be stuck. I volunteer in two different classes in a four-class school. At some point both of my children will be in the classes I read to. I don't think the teachers would be very impressed if I refused to help anymore.

Like a pp said, the volunteer will be DBS disclosed and will have to adhere to school procedure. If they don't then you might have grounds for a complaint but quite honestly, it's none of your business and I mean that kindly.

[BackforGood]

X posted

If you don't want anyone without qts around your child then the only option is to home educate then.
Lots of people without qts are employed in schools and lots more volunteer in schools - fortunately.

Your dc can't help but have all sorts of people 'around them'.

You are coming across as being a little unbalanced.

[rollonthesummer]

I'll leave it at that all I asked was it legal for my 6 year old to be introduced to someone only wanting to raise their self image

That's your opinion.

The actual question presumably, is -is it legal for parent volunteers to read with children in schools? To which the answer would be, yes.

[HelsBels5000]

Parents can volunteer to hear children read without needing DBS checks - as they are not left unsupervised with children. In our small village primary, we often have Mums in and they have to listen to readers in their child's class, no other option!
No confidential or SEN information is shared with them, they just listen to readers - Biff & Chip on repeat!
Just speak to the HT if you have concerns about this person and her proximity to your child. See what HT can put in place - i.e. not listening to your child read ever.

[Sukitakeitoff]

At my dc's school it's usual for parents to volunteer in their own child's class. I suspect they just get more volunteers that way as people are keener to help out in their own child's class. Totally fine in my view and I'm sure they wouldn't share any information about sen.

[AliciaMayEmory]

I volunteer to hear readers in my DVs school. I've heard children in my DCs class read and it would never cross my mind to think about or comment on their abilities or any SEN. I'm just there to listen to them read. I also think that the other children are more likely to tell their parents about other kids in their class than I am to hear anything confidential whilst in the classroom. My dd has dyslexia and I know that other kids have commented to their parents about her abilities in spelling tests and the like as they've told me! I know it can be a worry if you don't know how this person will behave or if they will keep anything to do with tour son confidential, but hopefully the school will be sensitive to your son's needs and not give too much information to this parent. May be a chat with the teacher will put any worries you have to rest?

[user1486416586]

It is obvious to a parent who is SEN. I am so angry parents are allowed to read within their own childrens classroms. It is strongly suggested that volunteers read to other classes. MOTHERS AND FATHERS THAT DECIDE TO READ IN THEIR OWN CHILDS CLASSROOMS ARE A DISCRACE!!!!!!!!!!! I can afford the time but I do not do it for my childs sake for independence. There ae many schools that would reuse this
My son came home tonight saying xx mum is bringing cakes tomorrow to our house?!?!?!?!?!?!
Its confusing to the other childrens mums and dads that have to work and im disgusted anyone would defend a childs mum working in the classroom wiith them no matter what it is!!!!!

[AliciaMayEmory]

DCs, not DVs school...

[MyWineTime]

I used to be a volunteer to listen to kids read in my son's class. I did it for several years. I wasn't given any confidential information about any children but I did become aware of some special needs over time - that was inevitable through listening to them read.
I don't quite understand your outrage or upset to be honest. What are you concerned could happen as a result of her being there?

[HelsBels5000]

TAKE YOUR DISGUST TO THE HEADTEACHER then instead of shouting at a load of people on an internet forum who are trying to advise and explain.
If you do not agree with the school's policy then challenge it.

[PerspicaciaTick]

Mothers and fathers that read in their children's classes may have no choice - if that is where the school has allocated them because that is where the school needs the extra support. Chances are they won't be reading with their own children, or even in the same room as them.

You are being very rude about all parent volunteers, when you a have an issue with one particular parent. You have already been advised to take your concerns to the school. Now you are just being insulting.

[Redlocks28]

- It is strongly suggested that volunteers read to other classes.

By who!?

[TwoLeftSocks]

Why don't you just talk to the Headteacher?

[FrayedHem]

Perhaps a calm conversation with the class teacher would help allay your concerns regarding confidential SEN information.

The volunteer may possibly be breaching the school's social media policy, depending on what she has shared and what your school's policy is, obviously.

[CaliforniaHorcrux]

A woman I used to be friends with volunteers in my son's nursery class and I wish she didn't (very bad falling out and I don't trust her) but you sometimes have to let it go