Child keeping in touch with teaching assistant.

[UserNo274729473]

Ds 11 is autistic. Had the same ta for the last 4 years, off to secondary in September, she is retiring so no longer gonna be at the school.

I know my kids school is really strict on staff being Facebook friends with parents etc.

but considering that he'll be leaving and she is retiring. There's no harm in exchanging email addresses is there? Obviously she might not want to which will be fine but Ds is a bit emotional thinking he'll never see her again - not sure if we will ever bump into her or anything. So worth asking perhaps?

also, thank you gifts for said ta for 4 years of working with him and retiring??

From the other viewpoint, I am a TA who has been working 1:1 with a child for 3 years. They will be leaving our school in a couple of weeks and I am wondering if it would be appropriate to say to the family that I would like to stay in touch and offer help if needed. Yes or no?

I worked as a 1-1 for a couple if years with a primary aged child, provided it was monitored by parents (as in, using your email) I would by happy to be asked.

I am a TA who works 1 to 1 with children with autism. This has happened to me. The parents invited me to be a family friend. As it happens I like the family. So I consulted with my HoD who gave me the green light.

TBH I do maintain some distance, see them once or twice a year and chat in Messenger, chat if we happen to meet in town but we don't meet up for coffee.

But I would not want to be given a vulnerable minor's email, or any direct contact. I am not family, and much as I like the child I do not want deep involvement. All my contact with the child is via their parents.

DD is six and has two one to ones who moved on; she and I had an excellent relationship with both of them. In both cases I gave them leaving gifts and in the card wrote my full name and 'feel free to add me on Facebook once you are allowed'. I felt there was no pressure that way. Both did and seem to enjoy seeing pictures of DD and hearing how she is getting on.

Give her your contact details, not his. Write her a card and say how much you’ve appreciated everything she’s done. Tell her you’d love to stay in touch, but then leave it up to her. Enclose photographs as she won’t be able to take her own.

Knowing that we've made a positive difference to a child's life, and having that acknowledged by their parents, is incredibly rewarding.