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Original poster

Does anyone know of opticians that offer insurance

15 replies

Meltinthemiddle · 03/05/2022 16:50

I'm a SEN TA and I've had two glasses broke in 2 weeks 😢. I really can't afford to keep replacing them. But I'm currently with specsavers and they do not offer insurance although will repair them if they can free of charge.

OP posts:

monicagellerbing · 03/05/2022 16:57

Surely if they are being broken in relation to your job then the school should pay for the costs?

WeAllHaveWings · 03/05/2022 17:02

monicagellerbing · 03/05/2022 16:57

Surely if they are being broken in relation to your job then the school should pay for the costs?

^ absolutely this, they also need to look into why it is happening and put something in place to stop it.

Are they covered under your home contents insurance? But you shouldnt have to claim and potentially take your own insurance costs.

Original poster

Meltinthemiddle · 03/05/2022 17:32

Well the teacher doesn't seem to know and apparently some schools don't pay out 😔. The child seems to unfortunately be targeting the eye area after giving another TA a black eye so its saved me from that at least. I've not been in the job long but there's not alot of support with behaviour and seems to be part and parcel of the job! The child is very unpredictable though.

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Original poster

Meltinthemiddle · 03/05/2022 17:33

I probably have to pay an excess charge on insurance.

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Bagelsandbrie · 03/05/2022 17:35

That sounds dangerous. I have a child with sen in a complex needs school and would expect the school to be addressing this. Sounds like an urgent ehcp review is needed.

HolyMoly22 · 03/05/2022 17:36

www.visionexpress.com/glasses/buyers-guide/breakage-protection

Not sure if they to buy from them though

Madamecastafiore · 03/05/2022 17:37

Boots do. It's £25 a year.

twoandcooplease · 03/05/2022 17:50

It isn't insurance but my DP buys glasses from SelectSpecs for cheap as the glass often gets broken and chipped at his work. He has a 3 prescription which would cost loads usually but not with them (basic)

This sounds very dangerous though and I'd be worried about getting hurt. You say they're sort of protecting you but I worked with a woman who fell on the steps and her glasses broke around her eyes. She was bruised and cut for weeks I remember thinking she was really lucky there was no permanent damage but it was a mess

nearlyspringyay · 03/05/2022 17:52

I'd be looking for a new job.

Ig the school can't keep you safe how can you keep the kids safe?

fortheloveofcheesecake · 03/05/2022 18:17

Ignoring the fact that your employer seems happy for you to work unprotected...select specs or other online places do glasses from £6 all in. Maybe a few pairs of those to wear at work?!
Hope you can get your employer to work with you to keep you safe.

Original poster

Meltinthemiddle · 03/05/2022 18:19

It is a special school BTW so these sorts of behaviour aren't unusual. And like mainstream there's no money or staff etc and they don't have instant access to salt and Ed psych like I thought they would. Some children are lucky to have 1-1 staffing but some actually need 2-1 but even then it's tricky to manage behaviour when they are in fight or flight mode. Mountains of paper work. We just have to write all these events up to get funding for support but it feels like I've got the same frustrations as being in mainstream tbh!

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Original poster

Meltinthemiddle · 03/05/2022 18:21

We do have Ed psychs but can be weeks to get an appointment and even then their advice isn't always great because they observe for maybe 1 hour if that. It's like no one knows the answers and just giving advice that's not actually going to work.

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TheWeeDonkey · 03/05/2022 18:30

When I used to work at vision express we offered insurance which came in handy for lots of customers. The only downside being they tend to be significantly more expensive than other opticians.

Blanketpolicy · 03/05/2022 18:34

Surely the teacher isnt your employer or responsibile for this? Ask them who you need to talk to to resolve it, the head or hr?

Doesnt matter that it is a special school, you sound be safe and any financial loses due to an incident at your work should be compensated.

Original poster

Meltinthemiddle · 03/05/2022 18:40

Blanketpolicy · 03/05/2022 18:34

Surely the teacher isnt your employer or responsibile for this? Ask them who you need to talk to to resolve it, the head or hr?

Doesnt matter that it is a special school, you sound be safe and any financial loses due to an incident at your work should be compensated.

I agree I love my job and the kids but it's the environment and lack of support that frustrates me. I honestly thought it would be more geared up and prepped for the needs of children but it feels like we are indepensible. And based on that I am looking for another job because my anxiety is high wondering whether I will get concussion or a black eye today like other staff. Its definitely not as supportive as I thought it would be. I will speak to the finance team.

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