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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I think I've blown my job today, would you have done the same?

156 replies

ilove · 05/02/2016 21:48

I'm a supply teacher/cover supervisor through an agency covering primary and secondary across Yorkshire, I work adhoc days to suit what fits in with my own kids and family and we also foster.

U agreed to work today in what is a decent secondary not far from home. My husband was also working overtime (we've had a very tough January money wise), but because his car is broken he got a lift in at half five this morning with someone who works on the same site but in a totally different area. I had my car at school with me.

Right at the end of P3 (I'd already taught Y7 and Y9) I had a Y11 class, teaching geography. As we packed up I noticed my phone flashing madly and looked at it - missed calls, texts, whatsapp said, messenger and emails all saying URGENT, CONTACT ME OR SCHOOL, SERIOUS INJURY and missed calls from my kids school too.

I rang my husband to be told that our youngest had had a serious head and mouth injury, bleeding, teeth forced backwards, blood from his mouth and face and could I get there now...

So I went straight to the supply department, told them, said I was leaving and went. Rang school and said I was on my way, then rang my husband to say I was too, and rang my agency to explain and apologise.

Just to say, we have NO family help. None. My in laws are six hours away and my parents both work and are over an hour away but wouldn't have come anyway. My eldest son is 90 mins away and works shifts. There are no neighbours at home who could have stepped in, we really are on our own and that's why I do agency work.

The agency were clearly very poised off with me and told me I should not have left the school (the school, by the way, were lovely - told me to go and not to worry and took all the handover stuff straight off me)

My boy isn't good, he has split top and bottom lip, ripped his frenulum and looks to have broken the muscle in his top lip as well as pushing his two front teeth right backwards so his teeth don't close together properly. He is a ? Concussion and needs waking every three hours tonight. Dentist on Monday unless he feels worse tomorrow and will then get an emergency appt with 111. Hospital were lovely, and surprised an ambulance hadn't been called as the child he bumped heads with was in just as bad a state but has my sons teeth marks in his head (apparently it was a game of tag!!!)

So WIBU to have but my son first? WWYHD? Sat here fretting :(

OP posts:
MintyChapstick · 06/02/2016 13:24

I work for an agency as a teaching assistant. In my experience they are far more interested in their commission than the in the welfare of the people who work for them, the ammount of lies they've told me just so they can get their Dee is unbelievable. But unfortunately they have the contract for our local auhtority and schools are no longer allowed to use their own prefered people.

CoraPirbright · 06/02/2016 14:35

Good grief! Of course you did absolutely the right thing. The agency can sod right off! Hope your poor son feels better soon.

Washediris · 06/02/2016 14:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maudofallhopefulness · 06/02/2016 14:48

Agencies are shit. I've worked in one. All they care about is hours and placements and targets, they would give you a hard time because they'd be a couple of hours short of a weekly target.

Not surprised the school were better. Had it been their pupils injured they'd want the parents there ASAP.

You did the right thing. Hope your ds feels better soon.

MintyChapstick · 06/02/2016 15:16

No agencies give a toss about the needs of the children, in fact I'd say that most of them don't have a clue about how schools work. They genuinely can't see to grasp that schools like using the same people because the kids need continuity.

You have to be very assertive with them I find. And as for them not giving you anymore work, well they need you more than you need them.

Original poster
ilove · 06/02/2016 16:48

Thankyou all for your support.

My DS is doing ok today, still in some pain but he teeth have moved themselves more into the normal position today and he iseating and drinking ok. Rang 111 and a dentist called me back and asked what had happened and what the teeth were like - they were not in our area at all, but said that given the small amount of movement and that he could already close his mouth together, and that they are not wobbly or loose, to see our own dentist on Monday is fine. So that's what we will do.

It wasn't an A&E we were at it was a minor injuries unit - far faster to get to and if they think you need the main city A&E they get you transferred there. I tend to call it the "local A&E" as its the first place I head to with the kids, my thoughts being that any medical help quickly is better than an hours drive into the city before they are helped. They do X Ray's and plaster casts and stitching etc, and it's where the ooh doctors are too. They said that as he didn't get knocked out he didn't need to be seen there and that the cuts in his mouth will heal quite quickly.

As it happens I have an interview on Monday morning for a part time permanent nanny position which I'm hoping I'll get. That will relieve the pressure of worrying about the agency.

I'm t work now (babysitting) until midnight so hopefully I can take my mind off things, although I slept really badly so I am tired.

Lots of coffee needed I think!

OP posts:
shutupandshop · 06/02/2016 16:55

Big hugs op thats horrible, your poor boy.Sad you did the right thing, not doubt at all. I would have done it too. Hope your ds feels better very soon.

shutupandshop · 06/02/2016 16:57

Good luck with your job interview.Star

absolutelynotfabulous · 06/02/2016 17:03

I still can't believe you were paid £67. That's seriously crap.

Fingers crossed for you, OP.

HackerFucker22 · 06/02/2016 17:04

Putting your child before work seems very frowned upon on here (rather ironically) but I'd have done the same.

I went back to work after ML recently and had to take my second day off as my youngest (1) ended up in a&e with bronchiolitis. My work weren't best pleased but so what. If my kids seriously need me then that always trumps work... always

RedOnHerHedd · 06/02/2016 17:35

Family first, every time.
I would absolutely have done the same thing.
Hope your DS is feeling a little better now.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 06/02/2016 17:37

If there is a time to forget about work and give your all to private life, this is the one OP! Any normal employer should see that too. I hope your DS get better soon, and best wishes for your job interview!

Myredcardigan · 06/02/2016 17:48

£67 a day?!? Until recently, I got £185 a day in the SE and 4 or 5yrs ago I received £125 a day in the NW. The agency is ripping you off.

I hope your DS is recovering well! Flowers

CPtart · 06/02/2016 17:52

I recently abandoned a clinic full of patients waiting for me, to race to school for my DS who had been knocked unconscious and ending up in A+E having a ct scan. Work were brilliant. I also needed the following two days at very short notice to keep him at home. Again, no problem.
You absolutely did the right thing.
I hope your son is OK.

Buttercup27 · 06/02/2016 18:02

I was on £100 per day ad an nqt 3 years ago! Definitely look I to the other agencies.
You did what any parent would do. Hope he's feeling better today Flowers

Myredcardigan · 06/02/2016 18:06

Why is the ad above this thread one for a supply agency in Cumbria? Is that just coincidence? Considering I don't live in Cumbria nor has my recent google searches included supply agencies anywhere.

notquitehuman · 06/02/2016 18:15

It probably picks up that the thread is about teaching and shows a relevant ad. I was on a slimming thread the other day and there was a pizza advert!

Agreed that £67 seems low. There are agencies round here looking for teaching assistants that pay £60-80.

BlimeyCrikey · 06/02/2016 18:29

You did the right thing. You didn't just run out, you checked things were good with the school first, they made sure the lesson was covered, then you went. That's responsible.

You're a parent first, in an emergency you have to be with your child.

PoohBearsHole · 06/02/2016 18:36

OP Flowers
your agency are appalling, not only are they ripping off you but also the local govt who pay for schools. What greedy and revolting people Sad.

After the comments from your supply"manager" about them coming first (read his BONUS/COMMISION) why on earth would you want to stay with your agency? nothing about this sounds like a good relationship, GO to your old supply manager and say you are available and keen to rekindle your working relationship.

Parents should put the health of their children first Smile

blobbityblob · 06/02/2016 18:46

The woman at the agency would have done exactly the same as you in your shoes. Ignore and carry on. I used to have a manager who was horrible if you took time off when your dc were ill, sniping, grimacing etc. Then one day her son got arrested and she was out the door like a shot.

JugglingFromHereToThere · 06/02/2016 18:48

Glad to hear your DS is on the mend x

I used to work for two great supply teaching agencies in London - would offer me work every day I rang for the age group I liked best in a really friendly and encouraging way.
Really liaised with schools so I only had to deal with the agency, although was often asked back by schools.
And I was paid £80 a day and that was from '95 onwards (so twenty years ago now!)
However I've heard the golden era of supply teaching is over somewhat?
Am still considering looking into it here though in case I get lucky!

CalicoBlue · 06/02/2016 18:53

I would have done exactly the same as you. I have done too, and I work for an agency.

Shock at the Manager's attitude. I have worked with teacher supply agencies and have never seen this attitude. Complain to the Managing Director.

Do not worry about them, they need you more than you need them. Good supply teachers are in demand. They will be back on the phone next week offering you work as if nothing has happened. Your choice if you want to work with them again.

Hope your son recovers well. Good luck

JugglingFromHereToThere · 06/02/2016 19:06

Another thing agencies earn a decent amount each day you work in a school for setting up and managing the contract between you and school as it were, and communicating relevant information. Most days this is really easy money for them. eg. Can you work at X for the rest of the week?

Occasionally (eg. once every 3 yrs in your case) they have a tiny (for them) issue to deal with ie. ilove has had to leave the school early as her DS has had an accident at his school (And she has already OK'd it with the school!)

I'm not very impressed with them, are you?

Original poster
ilove · 07/02/2016 15:10

I'm not impressed in the slightest no, and feeling rather badly done to about what they pay me as well!!

DS is doing a lot better today and is eating chocolate, so must be ok now!!

What is running round my head though is that I can't believe school didn't call an ambulance for two children with bleeding head injuries, one of whom had definitely been knocked out, and neither set of parents could get there immediately.

Does it have a negative effect on a school if they dial 999?

OP posts:
JugglingFromHereToThere · 07/02/2016 15:22

Yes, you'd think someone might have taken them both straight to A&E wouldn't you? Though that might feel more alarming to the parents but if it's needed it should be done?
Glad he's a bit better today ilove Flowers