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?

There's nothing legally preventing you from changing a pupil.

I don't know enough about PGCEs as to whether there are rules about the programme preventing you from delivering 1:1. Perhaps post in the staff room or ask your university.

From the child's perspective it depends on their EHCP. The pupil may not receive funding for 1:1 it depends on how the EHCP is worded. Many believe pupils are required to have 1:1 but their EHCP is woolly and vague with wording such as "access to" "or equivalent" "would benefit from" which means they aren't legally entitled to 1:1.

Even if section F is detailed, specific and quantified it doesn't mean it a) states full time 1:1 - sometimes it will be e.g. 15 hrs but school decide to give more, or b) the school receives funding for a full time 1:1 - normally the first £6k has to be funded from the school's notional SEN budget.

Again, as to who should be delivering the support depends on what training, experience and qualifications are stated in section F. Given many the state of many EHCPs LAs issue it is more than possible there is nothing preventing your delivering the support.

You'll have a specific amount of your timetable that needs to be teaching (supervised appropriately according to where you are on your course) and the first couple of weeks will often be observing only but on school based you can be thrown straight in with up to something like 12 hours teaching a week - teaching should build over the t=year until such a time when you are teaching something like 80% of a normal teacher load, but you usually only have to sustain that for 2-3 weeks near the end of your course. Again school based can be tougher than placements but not if you are supernumerary.

You will also have to observe or take part in other aspects of school life. So if they've given you a couple of hours a week as a 1:1, that is perfectly fine from both your point of view and the child's (assuming you are trained appropriately in the child's needs).

If the school are giving you LOTS of 1:1 hours then you need to talk to whoever is awarding/supervising the PGCE - you'll have weekly sessions outside of the school (likely) and can ask then.