Children named on risk assessment.

[TongueBiter]

Is this normal?

Apparently my child's name was on a risk assessment form on a recent trip, and the form was passed to volunteer helpers

I've had a fairly vague letter about it, which prompted me to ask the parent-helper that I know, but I'm seething!

Apparently procedures and policies are being reviewed, but I'm not happy that up to six parents have seen that the class teacher (who doesn't seem to like my dc) deems my child to be a risk!

I wouldn't expect volunteer helpers to have all those details, no.

But is it usual practice to name children as 'risks'?

What was the risk? If it was something like allergic to nuts I would want all the helpers to know.

It's not naming them as 'risks', it's naming behaviours that may be a risk.

No, no allergies etc. I suspect it was to do with behaviour, although I could be thinking the worst. Parents evening was full of "he won't sit still" etc.

Actually - just had confirmation it was about children with SEN or behaviour 'issues'.

Why do these things happen on Friday!! I'll be stewing all weekend!

All the helpers would need to know if he needs extra supervision. That's all it would be.

Completely normal, your child's behaviour is a hazard to be managed during a trip, all adults need to be formally informed of all hazards.

Why would the teacher dislike your DC? Isn't it far more likely that you child's behaviour is a problem?

I think this is what comes of having to use parent helpers to boost numbers of adults tbh. If helpers are simply extra bodies and have no specific direct responsibility then they do not need a copy of the risks assessment. There shouldn't be any need for them to have that kind of info really. I think the school has just failed to think this one through. The parent in question should also have kept their mouth shut.

Where's the letter from - the school?

The risk assessment will have how the risk is to be managed for each individual. There's no need to broadcast the details in a letter.
X in Mrs Y's group because of A, B or C usually.

We certainly have to identify on the risk assessment children who require specific adjustments we need to take account of. This might be because medical needs, behavioural issues or simply children who just need a little more attention. The risk assessment completed usually has initials rather than names but this just goes to the Head for agreement ( or on rare occasions for residentials or very risky trips it might have to go to the local authority for approval) and the visit leader takes the assessment with them. Parent volunteers would NOT be given a copy of this risk assessment, just a list of the children in their group ( or 1;1 if required)

A parent helper should not be allocated to any child whose behaviour poses a risk to their own safety, or anyone else's, on a school trip. A named staff member should be responsible.

Ignore Charis1 btw. On a wind up, as usual.

Oh, and we wouldn't give children who require additional support to a parent helper, they are normally given the "angels" whilst the staff are in charge of the "imps" !

Children who pose any sort of risk, or warrant any special attention on a trip, are named on the form, yes, but I have never handed copies of risk assessment to parent helpers, so I'm not sure why this teacher would have. Any children who need an extra eye/support would be overseen by me or other school staff, or possibly I might verbally ask a parent helper to do something specific but without specifying the particular reason.

Charis1 - I've raised 3 children previously, got a first class Honours degree in EC Studies and a Masters in Education; I also work in a school. This teacher presents me with issues that I expect her to know how to deal with, such as fidgety 6 year olds, 5-6 yr olds who aren't keen on sitting down writing etc. She offers no solutions - just problems. The head of FS has no concerns about it, but his teacher seems set on identifying issues where none exist beyond the realms of the normal social, emotional and physical development of a 6 yr old boy.

In the past I have always taken a teacher's word as gospel, but being older and wiser now, I am not accepting that his behaviour is anything out of the ordinary. Any play dates go well, parents helping in school comment positively on him (unsolicited).

Coogar - oops, too late - but boy do I feel better!

As you say, any children they have concerns about should be with the staff.

We name children with inhalers and other medical needs. I also named a child with hearing impairment. Behaviour risks are dealt with by placing more challenging behaviour in the teacher's group but not by naming. However, my ds has receptive language problems and for his safety I would want all adults to know that. However we rarely take parents, just bump up numbers with tas and regular helpers.

As a parent helper on numerous trips, our school doesn't explicitly name children on risk assessments, more likely to say '1 child likely to run off - with teacher at all times' that kind of thing. We are given copies of risk assessments - otherwise how do we know if there are specific things to watch for?

(That said, generally it's not rocket science for me to work out which child is meant, especially if I've helped with that class before, but I keep it to myself.)

"give copies to all leaders and supervisors on the excursion (and Head of Establishment)"

What constitutes a "leader/supervisor" though? Does that include parent helpers?

I have helped on trips and have had named children on risk assessment, although only for things like being diabetic. They were named on all risk assume to given to all parents even though they weren't in their group. As far as I am aware there were no children with SEN. They children who are more "challenging" we're put with the teacher.

Not in our case as our parent helpers don;t supervise or lead a group of children, they assist the teacher or teaching assistant with a group.

This teacher presents me with issues that I expect her to know how to deal with, such as fidgety 6 year olds, 5-6 yr olds who aren't keen on sitting down writing etc.

I don't get this attitude, why should the teacher put up with this?

She offers no solutions - just problems

because it is really down to you to teach your child to sit still and listen, not her!

Oh give it a rest, Charis, you are clearly clueless about 5/6 yr olds in all their varieties.