To ask if a teacher can teach their child at school?

[Tylila]

Do some schools/councils have policies against it?

How are situations handled when the child is involved and the teacher has to look at both sides without favouring?

Are there other considerations to be aware of?

Surely if school is going to arrange training the appointee won't be untrained by the time they're actually working with DC?

If it's very specialist care, advertising for someone who already has the skills will vastly reduce the pool of candidates and their ability to appoint the right person for the job. Doing this way means DC gets better support.

Obviously I’m sure there will be candidates with some experience, even if just very basic, but it won’t be the level my child has had for the last 4 years and so right from the off there will be that disadvantage at a stage when it’s pretty crucial that they’re very well supported. Even if training is provided it will take time to achieve.

They interview middle of July, D.C. works with them in September.

@Tylila

I’m not disagreeing with anyone btw, I posted to get thoughts.

There is more to how my thought process went this way that relates to my issues with how the school are handling this situation currently. I haven’t just plucked it out of thin air.

Yeah you are. You're disagreeing with the school. There's no way you should apply for that job it would be a massive conflict of interest.

@Backhills

Surely if school is going to arrange training the appointee won't be untrained by the time they're actually working with DC?

If it's very specialist care, advertising for someone who already has the skills will vastly reduce the pool of candidates and their ability to appoint the right person for the job. Doing this way means DC gets better support.

This

Was about to say the same

OP, I really think this is a bad idea. Your child needs time away from you to be independent, she may be picked on as "mummy's coming to look after little baby" and it's just a really, really difficult situation for everyone that you are proposing.

Do you currently work? If you are concerned about transitions and building relationships with your child when intimate care is required, could you suggest a period where you volunteer in class whilst the staff member becomes familiar with your child? That would deal with those concerns whilst also avoiding a really tricky situation.

What's so good about the current 1:1? What skills did they have in the beginning?

@L0bstersLass

Would you mind reading the thread and explaining where I’m disagreeing with the school?

I’m questioning their approach to this. That is not a disagreement.

Ds requires someone with specialist training to support him. It's not common and we have never found a ta who had knowledge of this previously. We had the training and requirements that staff working with him must have written into his ehcp in detail (in section F). For example specific training delivered by a qualified professional before they are allowed to work with him. Regular monitoring to ensure this is being delivered correctly. New members of staff to shadow staff already trained to learn how to use his equipment etc.

I know exactly where you are coming from. I can support my son's needs better than anyone else can. However he can't rely on me forever and as hard as it is I've had to learn to trust other people with supporting him. It's been very positive for ds to work with other people and not rely on me for everything. It's helped him to make some lovely relationships with some of his 1:1s.

@Tylila

It may not be the school's fault that they don't have much time. TAs generally only have to give four weeks notice.

With the specific needs your child has, it is unlikely that there is someone available with all the training already. It's easier to match personality and attitude and provide training.

It isn't a great system, but unfortunately it's the one we have. I can understand your frustration, but it's not something the school is going to be able to fix.

Current 1:1 is very experienced, although I’m unsure of the exact qualification I know it is degree level, , that is why they are working with my child as they are the only child the school has had with their needs. Over the last 4 years they have helped DC become more verbal, more included and advanced their education.

I have already arranged training for staff who will have responsibilities for children either starting school in Reception or moving classes with a range of medical needs, some training will take place this month and some before the child starts in September.

Also I totally get your point about the new staff member not being at the same level as they will be new to your child. This is something we have struggled with and it's more of an issue if you only have one 1:1. We have had a number of staff trained up which has helped avoid this.

If it is a full time position would the school consider a job share? That way if one staff member leaves or is Ill you're not necessarily back at square one again. There are drawbacks on either side of this.

I understand that, but matching is more than what’s on paper. There is no opportunity for DC to meet new 1:1 before the first day in an entirely new school, with new peers and teachers. DC is notoriously resilient but that’s still something I’m not comfortable with, and that’s before we get to how qualified they are at that point.

If there will, by necessity, be a gap between the new staff member starting work and being fully trained, it might be appropriate for you to offer to support them for a week or two, but you can't go for the job.

If they advertise for someone with the exisiting skills, if they're as niche as you say, you'll end up with no support at all.

Out of curiosity, how much is the salary? Is it at a degree level or was current 1:1 there for the opportunity to get experience before moving on? If it's 12k it would be unrealistic for them to ask for a degree in the job advert even if that's their preference.

@spikeyfish

I really appreciate your post, you hit the right note of getting my point entirely while also pointing out why my thought process isn’t the right one.

I’m not in any way a clingy parent, but I refuse to hand them over under these circumstances unless I can be certain of who I’m handing them to.

Basic salary.

It’s 12.700

Gosh, that would be totally inappropriate. Every child has the right to normal emancipation from their parents. I'm sure you have good intentions, but you
mention inclusion, acceptance and independence ... can you honestly say that they would achieve this with their mum involved in all their peer interactions.

OP my heart goes out to you, you clearly want the best for your child but I agree with every poster on this thread. Your presence would be very uncomfortable for the other staff (and students). Also your DC needs to build relationships with other people.
I have been a one to one TA in a special school and it's amazing watching these little people learning to trust you and to let you into their world.
In your position I'd look for a school hours job elsewhere, that way you can both make new friends.

[quote Tylila]@L0bstersLass

Would you mind reading the thread and explaining where I’m disagreeing with the school?

I’m questioning their approach to this. That is not a disagreement.[/quote]
Oh I have read the thread. Now you're disagreeing with me.

@Serin

I resent your implication that I’m in need of a job or friends because I have valid concerns regarding the school’s approach and the effect it will have on my son (or would you prefer the term ‘little person?’ since you seem to think that’s appropriate)

Did you intend to be so patronising?

Unfortunately schools hands are tied if current 1:1 is working until the end of the school year then leaving. They cant bring in anyone earlier as there is no money to pay them.

So you could do a phased first week slowly introducing child but doing intimate care at home. Or go into school first week and supervise intimate care. Or ask the person appointment if they would mind doing a home visist the week before dc starts school again.

I totally understand what you have posted @Tylila, but it is a safeguarding issue. There has to be some degree of separation/identity from you as the parent and who is 121. Yes this advert sounds rushed and no chance for your child to meet or build a relationship with the new 121. But in theory if the current 121 was off long term sick, your child would have a replacement put in situ.

I don't know if possible but would school include you in the recruitment process?