1-1 TA in year 7

[redwoodenspoon]

My DD has just moved to secondary school. DD has funding from our council for a 1-1 TA and an EHCP due to SEN - mainly for dyslexia and keeping her focused and on track (ADHD).
There is another girl in DDs class with SEN, this girl needs a lot of support with emotional regulation at the moment. She doesn’t have any funding for a 1-1 or an EHCP at the moment.
The girl keeps leaving the classroom and getting very upset unless my DDs TA is working with her. As she is loud the TA tends to go straight to her leaving my DD to struggle on her own.

DD has had a 1-1 TA since year 1 and is really struggling with the fact that she isn’t getting the help she needs. I feel she will fall behind if she isn’t supported.
Is it acceptable or normal for a secondary school TA to spend more time with a child who isn’t the one they are supposed to be working with?

I don't think this is acceptable as such, but it is usual. Many secondary schools have cut their number of TAs to the bone, and so in classes where TAs are available to help one child, they are often used to support other children too. Sometimes this can work well, as it allows their "main" child to build some independence- and of course, it can have benefits for the whole class.

However, in this case, it sounds like your DD is not being supported properly.

You sound like you have a lot of detail about this situation! Have you discussed this with the SENCO? Can you ask that e.g. your DD is always sat with the TA, so that she has proper support?

Does your daughter’s EHCP specify 1-1 support or does it just say ‘TA support’?

If your DD's EHCP is specified and quantified, not just TA support or woolly phases such as 'or equivalent' then it should be 1:1.

Either way contact the SENCO, but if it's not specified and quantified then you can't force them to provide 1:1. Focus on your DD's needs not those of the other child, the SENCO shouldn't discuss the other girl with you.