Can a PGCE student change a SEN child's nappy?

[Sky1992]

So iv just began my PGCE and have chosen a school direct unsalaired route. It's supposed to be a supernumerary thing where I technically am not part of their ratio. Even though its been a few days into the course my mentor (aka the class teacher) has already said we are getting in a child who has am ECP and has severe needs so I need to be 1 2 1 with her once a week and be ready to change her nappy. Is this too much and am I actually allowed to do this? I don't technically mind but feels a but unfair since she has funding she should be getting a 1 2 1 and I'm not getting paid anyway. The aim of doing the PGCE was to become a class teacher not a 1 2 1. Am I being unreasonable?

Absolutely not

Contact your university immediately

No, your are not being unreasonable at all. Speak to your tutor at uni.

I cannot comment on whether you should be doing this as part of your unpaid placement; but to answer your thread title, as the parent of an SEN schoolchild, I would have no problem at all with you changing my son's pad. I'm happy for any member of my son's school staff to change his pad, they've all been vetted.

No, not unreasonable. You are there to learn to teach a whole class, not to be a 1-2-1.

Contact your university and your tutor asap

I assume you've had a DBS as part of your course so from a safeguarding point of view it's not an issue. A conversation with a parent beforehand about how they usually do it and anything else you need to know could be helpful for the child's comfort and dignity. Can't comment on whether you should be asked to or not though.

God no! That's TA work, and quite frankly, I would not be ok doing that.

No you shouldn't be doing that.

Yeah I was thinking that's not what I'm there for. I can change and its not an issue but surley I shouldn't be working as a 1 2 1 for free and miss out on the teaching experience that I should be getting considering for the first two terms I'm in school 3 days a week and everyday should be vital. I don't feel comfortable changing because I know many schools have policies for intimate care and i couldn't find my one but in schools I have worked previously volunteers and helpers are not allowed to change a nappy or a child and technically I'm a volunteer well a trainee teacher but considered as a volunteer. The cheek of some schools misusing SEND funding, its unfair.