New role as TA -Is it normal to be hit and nipped daily?

[30AA]

I thought I had landed on my feet getting a job as TA.

Is it normal to be hit, nipped, scratched and hair pulled in this role?

I'm 1-1 with a year 1 boy who also needs intimate care. He has numerous health problems and adhd.

All the staff think it's just part of the job. They just watch it happen.

I'm so nervous going into work.

[FlibbertyGiblets]

You've had de-escalation training, yes? To show you how to safely manage behaviours and to defuse situations?

[Littlelambpeep]

It isn't unusual but there should be behavioural strategies in place / support
What is the teacher doing? My sister teaches children with EBD and is frequently hit.

[30AA]

No training. Nothing in the pipeline. Apparently council will get round to the training.

The previous TA left because there was no support in place and she was sick of being hurt constantly (I was told this after I took the job!).

[30AA]

I can calm him down. He just gets so excited about things out with my control and that's when he lashes out.

[Icequeen01]

My school is a special school for very challenging behaviours and I'm afraid I have already taken two members of staff to A&E in the last 12 months. They are constantly hit, punched, kicked and spat at. It's definitely not a job for everyone.

[Soontobe60]

Right. First of all, make sure you are in a union. Then make sure you record everything the child does to you. Speak to the Senco in school and ask them when the relevant course will be. Team Teach is an excellent course for this. Under no circumstances must you be changing this child in your own, there must be a second adult in with you for your own safety. There should be an intimate care policy. There should also be a risk assessment for the child as they are regularly biting and hitting.
Yes, there are children that will show these behaviours, but it's how they are managed that's crucial.

[30AA]

I'm not in a special school.

I'm protecting other children from getting hurt constantly. There is no learning happening even though he is able to take it in.

Im not sure I'm cut out to do this BUT I know the council will not get someone else to do this job and I'll feel guilty walking away.

[fishfingersandketchup]

Don't feel guilty. I'm a TA, classroom based, and I can say with my hand in my heart I could not do one to one behaviour support. Not even in a supportive school. Sounds as if your school wants you to put yourself in danger without providing any support or training. I'd walk away unless they can come up with a proper plan, sorry

[fishfingersandketchup]

Or even hand on my heart

[crunchtime]

have you had any training or experience as a TA?

[30AA]

No training or experience. It's a small rural school. I don't think even the HT knows how to handle it.

[callitamay]

This is why ‘a TA’ in support for a child is largely pointless.

[crunchtime]

i am genuinely not being unpleasant here but I am mystified about why you thought you could be a 1;1 TA to a child with special needs when you have neither training nor experience.

being a GOOD TA is a difficult job. It demands lots and lots of skills.
Being a 1;1 to a child with special needs is doubly difficult. I am really surprised you got the job tbh.

They should be employing someone skilled.
The have done YOU a disservice by expecting you to be able to just magically be able to step in and do this job.
And they are certainly not meeting his needs .

Yes to previous poster re documenting everything but if you are going to continue with the job then you need team teaching training asap.

[MeanTangerine]

I'd start looking for another job. Team - teach training is not a panacea. If they've already lost one member of staff AND failed to make changes then you're on a hiding to nothing. Sorry. It's shit for the little boy and it's shit for you.

[lorisparkle]

I work in a special school and for children with challenging behaviours we have to have a risk assessment and a personal support plan. These outline what the child may do to hurt people, themselves or damage property or put themselves at risk. They then outline what we need to put in place to prevent these things happening and what we should do if they do happen. I am guessing you have not got anything like that in place. I would ask the SENCo and / or Headteacher to help put these things in place. It might be worth getting in contact with your local special school as they maybe able to help. It is also vital to keep a record of all incidents - preferably recording what happened before and what happened afterwards to build up a picture of what might be causing the behaviour and then if you put any strategies in place you can see the impact the strategies have had.

In my job getting injured is common but never acceptable.

[RSTera]

Your school sound totally clueless. Poor kid

[30AA]

I've volunteered for 4 years in different schools. The job I went for was in the office but they said they had that filled but offered me a TA with this boy.

I have the biggest heart and I can help this boy. I just need the support of the school along the way, he needs a plan and space. He has so many health problems the school thought he would be permanently in hospital by now.

[butterfly990]

Horrendous situation for both you and the child.

Do the parents have any advice on strategies that work for them?

Have a look at this book.

www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Found-Behaviorally-Challenging-Students/dp/1118898575/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=the%20explosive%20child&ie=UTF8&qid=1536389313&sr=8-5&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[WhatsYourFuckingProblem]

crunchtime I’m in the exact same position. Employed as a TA but now having to work 1:1 with children with special needs. I don’t want to, I have zero training, I’ve said I don’t enjoy it, blah, blah and yet here I am again starting another year doing it clinging on to the hope I’ll be made a TA again next year.

OP I would be livid to be honest if I was being hurt everyday.
One of the children I have is very volatile, the minute he throws something at me or hurts me I will refuse to have him again.

[Crusoe]

Poor kids 😢

[GreenTulips]

Do he have a IEP or EHCP?
Have your read it?
What are hos needs
What interventions is he receiving? Anger management, yoga, mindfulness?
Have you tried distraction techniques? Such as going for a walk, carrying something heavy, weighted blanket or jacket?
Are you allowed to leave the class for some fresh air and excerise?
Does he have a reward system

Break the day into segments
Registration.
Maths
Spelling
Break
Blah

Good he colours it in green ...... red is bad .... others in different colours so he has a visual of his behaviour

Set up a reward (what does he like?)

Does his spellings - 10 mins laptop
Does well in games - play game with a friend etc

Good luck

[Silverstar2]

Sorry to derail but I am mystified too at how you can get a TA job with no experience or training?

I am a qualified TA with experience of classroom and 1:1 support, but part time. I now want to move to full time, but every job I go for there are loads of applicants, meaning more competition, and I cannot get a job. Mostly they go to people the school already know. Very frustrating.

Anyway, you should ask for training and support, as this is what the job entails.

Good luck x

[DinkyDaisy]

As a TA you are being let down and as you clearly see, so is the child.
Someone mentioned talking to the Senco. Good idea I think.
You need to know what risk assessments in place, strategies to use, professional support, plans for the future and how you can support them.
You sound like you have been put in a firefighting situation and it is not fair on anyone.
Ask where you record incidents. For example to see if there is a pattern of behaviour so strategies can be made.
You sound perceptive concerning the space he needs eg, appropriate calming space etc.
The school is not doing its job properly to support or protect this child, you or other children.

[hmmwhatatodo]

Why is it always the case that 1:1 jobs go to people with no experience and training. Never understood it. Also ridiculous that it’s such low pay which is no doubt why it just goes to people without training. Sorry to hear you’re going through this op.

[EvilEdna1]

It is normal at my kids' primary school that one to one SEN assistants have no experience. They pay poorly and I am sure if people with experience applied they would appoint them. They obviously don't apply.