Victim Blaming

[Bathsheba]

I was attacked at work on Friday. I work as a 1 to 1 for a child with ASN.

Normally we can read his cues but we got it wrong. I have scratches all over my neck.

I had a top on that was appropriate for school however it left my neck exposed. My line manager was supportive but her stance was very much that I had left myself unprotected and I had become too relaxed as my child had become calmer over the last 8 weeks.

It's been a very traumatic time for me and I'm very stressed about going back in tomorrow morning. My Union are very good but I don't want to cause ructions... However I think blaming me for not having a high necked top on is too much.

Genuinely still jittery about going in tomorrow and I am worried that anything that happens now will be seen as my fault for not protecting myself

There are literally tens of thousands of children who are not in a suitable education environment. There just aren't the enough places or even the correct facilities to start with. So in all likelihood your school is the only place for him. Also, even though it is not ideal, this child's parents may feel it is the best option for him.

It is very rare for a child to be allocated 2 support staff so you are going to have to get used to working alone with him. You probably should ask for a behaviour plan to be drawn up so that you know what to do in a range of situations with him, who to call on and when. It is not unreasonable to ask for further training but it may be unavailable or outside of the school's budget.

Some schools are very on the ball and others aren't. If you are in a school that isn't you may have to decide if you want to battle on or leave if you feel that uncomfortable in this situation.

IT does need to be put down as an accident at work. Your employers must take reasonable steps to prevent you suffering further injury. You may wish to wear more protective clothing, thicker material etc. However I agree it needs recording. I think only too often schools try and minimise behaviour and incidents and pretend nothing has happened.

I was once kicked and had a hand pushed in my face by a boy I was teaching. The management team wanted to know what I'd done to upset him! I left them with the problem as I left that day!

You may wish to go off sick - it then goes down as a lost time accident - make sure you feel ok before going back to look after him.