1:1 TA getting no support off class teacher. Want to leave my job.

[Bringmecoffee5]

I am a SEND 1:1 in a mainstream school. Child is autistic, pre verbal.
Class teacher is also the senco.
Teacher gives me nothing to do with the child. No SALT which child is supposed to receive. No sensory activities. No learning that child can access, no targets, nothing. Told me to try dough disco, told me I just need to engage child, which I have been trying to do since last year but child is anxious, struggles around other children and runs away all the time. I feel I am failing the child and I hate my job now. I used to work in a specialist school where everything ran so smoothly and the teachers were amazing, experienced and skilled.
Parents have named mainstream on ehcp but I can’t do this any longer.
AIBU

My understanding is that parents push for keeping the child in mainstream and want him to keep up with peers, which is never going to happen. The set an unrealistic goal for the child and won’t push for further support themselves.

The SENCo needs to step up and do their job basically, you should be following instructions not worrying about this
That poor child, they are worth more than just being left to wander
I'd speak to the Head, this isn't fair on you, the child or the parents

Have the parents ever visited any special school,s?
As a parent it can be hard to hear your childs needs are to complex for a mainstream school
I know visiting my son's special school really helped me to see that they were far better equipped to meet my son's needs than mainstream

"My understanding is that parents push for keeping the child in mainstream and want him to keep up with peers, which is never going to happen. The set an unrealistic goal for the child and won’t push for further support themselves."

Parents are not given decent unbiased advice before their child starts school. Reports do not specify that specialist will be the best option because the LA tells professionals not to write that. Some parents are adamant to an unreasonable degree that their child must be in mainstream but in most cases it is lack of decent support and guidance. They then feel their child is being pushed out of mainstream rather than specialist school being a positive choice.

I advise that what is happening in school on a day to day basis is communicated clearly to the parents via a home to school communication book. They should be advised to visit different specialist schools ( not just the nearest as that can feel like pushing out) so they can see what the schools offer.

There's a lot going on here OP but for you I think it ultimately boils down to how much control you have over this situation. It may be easier to accept that you can't change this and look for another job

This is what happens when the EHCP is vague and woolly. If provision is not specified and quantified in F the LA don’t have to provide the provision. There needs to be an early review and the EHCP amended. If the pupil hasn’t been assessed by SALT and OT they need assessments.

A lack of places on its own isn’t enough to refuse a placement. Being full is not defined in law, and on its own being ‘full’ is not enough of a reason to refuse to name the parental preference. The LA would need to prove the school is so full admitting the pupil is incompatible. The bar is high, higher than an “adverse effect”, “impact on” or “prejudicial to”. Unless the school is wholly independent the LA can, and must, name the school regardless of the school’s objections unless they can prove:

• The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

Although, parents do have a right to a mainstream education for their child. The only time a SS can be named against the parents’ wishes is if the LA can prove it is incompatible with the efficient education of others and no reasonable steps can be taken to overcome this.

The child's needs are not being met in his mainstream school, so the obvious solution would be to look for a special school, where they will have strategies in place for children with complex needs.
But if the parents are unwilling, I would look for another job.

I think you are in an impossible position. Tbh I would get another job if you can in a different school .the parents need to be on board .the school needs to support you as well .you need to think of yourself as well!

This current situation is very unfair on thr child and they are not thriving. You would be standing up for the child if you refused to continue in this situation.

You could ask for a meeting with senior management and say the situation is untenable and wrong for thr child and you are leaving unless major changes made.

The school obviously cannot meet the child’s needs. You can only give feedback and be honest with the head teacher. Go back to a school where your skills will be used and it will be rewarding for you. Mainstream schools are often not well equipped for even academically able children with additional support needs. I don’t know if parents realise that if anything there child is being more excluded by being ‘in’ a mainstream class as they are just being separated out from peers.
Given the age of the child do they have something vague learning disability wise like ‘global developmental delay’ which means nothing much in terms of determining needs. Can you advocate for a cognitive assessment by an Ed psych as this can spell out needs more clearly for school and parents.