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Original poster

Teaching Assistant Question?

21 replies

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 21:58

can anyone offer me any advice?
i am at present on the sick with pnd however, when dd old enough for nursery, would be my dream to work in schools as teaching assistant.
i want to train on part time or night course but having probs because on sick, would i have the same problem if i offered to help out in any school voluntary?
have explained that its my way of gaining confidence to get back out there but just help out couple of hours a week for free.
is this possible considering circumstances?

OP posts:

Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 22:17

bump

anyone?..............

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Catan · 14/10/2004 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 22:49

hi catan, she's 18months almost and very clingy so im trying to get out and get her used to more people, i would even help out at a playgroup or something but health visitor said i would probably not be able to as thier insurance wouldnt cover me as on sick???

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pixiefish · 14/10/2004 22:52

does this answer some questions Good luck

Tommy · 14/10/2004 22:53

Evesmama - most parent and toddler groups would be happy for you to be on their committee - that may be a way in and then you could work up from there. Also, a friend of mine has been working as a volunteer in her local school for years but is unable to work (and be paid) because of health problems. Your HV may be talking out of somewhere else rather than her mouth (as some of them can ). I think it would be worth you doing some investigations yourself.

CarrieG · 14/10/2004 22:57

Only problem I can see with volunteering might be security checks (ie. I believe LEA has to pay to get them done, & some won't unless they're offering a paid job). Worth ringing up your local school to find out!

If it's a problem because you might lose benefit/pay, I had this when I began training as a teacher - was on Income Support following death of dh#1 & subsequent sale of our business, which made it awkward to do the 2 weeks work experience I was required to do before beginning actual course. Got round it by doing 2 days a week over several weeks as this didn't affect my availability to work/benefit; but it might be different if you're on sick leave - can CAB give you the information you need?

Dunno if any of that's very helpful! I'd definitely start with a letter/phone call to nearest school, as at least they can point you in the direction of someone who can advise you.

Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 22:57

thanks for that pixiefish and tommy, didnt bother after she told me that, but very old school ways anyway, so i will look into it...id love to be able to do it as my last job had me dealing with all sorts of unsavory charicters and constant verbal abuse, so i want to do something a bit more worthwile, plus we have no family to help me with dd, so i would love to be able to work her school hours or there abouts!

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Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 22:59

yeah carrieG im gunna do that, ill ring some schools in area to find out were i stand.
dp has just been made redundant so he could look after dd for couple hours a week to help me get out and sort myself out and train to do what id love.

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CarrieG · 14/10/2004 23:00

...not altogether sure that being a TA would keep you away from 'unsavoury characters & constant verbal abuse' - I get plenty of both (& that's just in the staffroom heh heh...). Good luck!

pixiefish · 14/10/2004 23:00

Don't mean to be negative evesmama but you say that you dealt with unsavoury, awkward characters in your old job- some of these kids can be pretty hard work you know in that they can be awkward etc... not saying they all are but have a proper think.
You can pay to do the police check yourself if that's an issue- it costs about £10.
have you thought of offering to go in and help read etc at your local primary

pixiefish · 14/10/2004 23:01

carrieG- you said it so much better than I could manage

Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 23:04

well i was gonna say that! but didnt want anyone thinking i was horrible...no where i used to work (mobile phone shop) we had people effing and blinding cos there daft phone wouldnt work, threatening to wait for you etc etc, i handled it but would rather take a bit of banter from children as they can be helped and i would feel myself as though i was 'doing something'. were i live, i know it wouldnt be a sweetness and light, but id love the opportunity to have a bloody good try at it!

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pixiefish · 14/10/2004 23:07

We get effed and jeffed Emama- and physically abused- think carefully before going into it. I know it seems a worthwile cause but some of these kids can be vicious

80sMum · 14/10/2004 23:08

Hi Evesmama. So sorry to hear you're suffering with pnd right now, but things are looking up if you're starting to look at ways to get your confidence back. How about your local playgroup or pre-school as a starting point? They run on very low budgets and I should think most would welcome you with open arms if you said you'd do some voluntary helping out. I worked as deputy in a pre-school for 11 years and we had a long succession of mums coming in to help out. Some went on to do childcare training elsewhere, others ended up joining our permanent staff, two became classroom assistants in the local primary. Give it a go. Maybe just one morning a week to start with; it'll get you out and meeting new people, which can only be good for you. Loads of good luck and I hope it all works out.

Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 23:12

thanks 80smum am really trying to do something, i used to be so ballsy but since dd born and pnd struck as well as self esteem and confidence being thrown in bin with placenta i have been a totally sap..its just not me, i enjoy a challenge or used to and could always handle my nasty customers. want to work with younger kids and i know they can be hard work (got a 18months old gorgeous little madam!)but really want to help kids as i had crappy childhood and enjoy seeing them grow and learn new things, its wonderful when you take the time to see things through a childs eyes! never did till p.nurse mentioned it!

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80sMum · 14/10/2004 23:26

Oh, that's so true. Young children make you see the world all over again, as if for the first time. It's lovely to be in the company of people too young to be cynical. Yes it is hard work, but also very rewarding. The down side is that the pay is very low, though I feel that's now beginning to change as people appreciate the importance of good quality childcare. Why not give it a go, just take things slowly a step at a time. I think it's important for you not to put yourself down and not to expect too much form yourself initially. Remember, a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.

Original poster

EvesMama · 14/10/2004 23:27

what a wise woman, thankyou very much, ill remember those words!

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80sMum · 14/10/2004 23:29

MarmaladeSun · 15/10/2004 11:29

Hi EvesMama. I would like to echo what was said earlier about possible abuse you might get as a TA. I have worked as a special needs TA in both primary and secondary schools, and you need to be pretty thick skinned to work with some of these kids. I am a very strong person but I often went home in tears because of the job. They will push you and push you to see how far they can go...on my first day in secondary school I was asked 'Miss, do you like oral sex?'...and 'Miss...what's your favourite position?' etc. I have also had desks/chairs thrown at me, and the last straw was being stabbed in the leg by a 15 year old girl repeatedly with a compass. the same girl was later found to be carrying a heroin loaded (dirty) syringe. I still shudder to think what may have happened if she had used that imstead. Having said all that, on the whole I loved the job and got very fond of some of the kids, even the 'difficult' ones. My reason for concern is that if you are feeling a little bit vulnerable because of your PND then maybe only look for primary school work, as you at least don't get the levels of abuse with the smaller kids. Good luck.

codswallop · 15/10/2004 11:30

you need experience t be a ta
I have just helped our head employ 5 and not one had no qualifs or experiendce
as a one to one ta you may have mroe joy though but deffo need to have shown willing in schools before , even just reading litstennting

Jimjams · 15/10/2004 14:07

My friend has just started volunteering part time at a SN nursery. She's been doing one morning a week but will up it to 2 soon. She's been working with children with a variety of SN but thinks she is going to be paired up with a 2 year old autistic boy. She enjoys it as she says he's really cuddly and very affectionate and reminds her of my ds1 aged 2. Also he's a bit of a challenge. Perhaps worth looking into. If you contacted the child development centre in your area they would be able to tell you what was available locally. I would imagine it would be very worthwhile experience for a future TA. Certainly I'm sure my son's shcool would employ someone for him with this sort of experience.

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