Support Worker appointment - can I interfere ?????

[Flocci]

DD's school are interviewing for a support worker for when she starts school in January. Apparently they have had quite a few applicants including someone who is known to them somehow - they are being slightly vague and I suspect they just want to pick their preferred person. In addition the support worker from dd's preschool has also applied and we really would like her to get the job.

BUT on paper she doesn't look like a great candidate as she has little formal trainind and qualifications ...... on the other hand she has looked after dd for the past 18 months and we know she is fabulous. Also she has never gone for a job like this before and is not at all used to or interested in selling herself IYKWIM.

We have told the school verbally in conversations about different stuff that we would like her to get the job and they always just say well you know it is an open process adn the best person will be appointed. DH has suggested that we email the school and just put down clearl why we think she is the best person for the job but I think maybe we would look like we are being too pushy and may do more harm than good.

What would you do?

I get totally involved in recruiting the LSA for my autistic son, and actually they ended up taking one of his tutors from home (we do ABA). I think your husband is right that if you email and stress what you think should be the appointment criteria, and what your child's needs are, using "official" language but in a friendly, "just being helpful" tone, it makes it more difficult for them to ignore you as your points are in writing. You could, for instance, argue that your preferred candidate has the great advantage of being known to DD, and therefore her anxiety levels on starting school will be significantly reduced, meaning she is far more able to access the curriculum (this is all code language and they will understand that you have done your homework). I have found that being a pain in the a* works better than leaving it to them, and a teacher I know confirmed that he who shouts loudest gets heard! Good luck!

Generally I don't tend to hold back as i have also realised that nothing gets done unless I shout and rant and occasionally cry in the right direction.

I think a well crafted subtle email may be on its way - can't surely do any real harm I don't think. Let's face it if they want to give the job to a buddy then they will anyway, and if they are playing fair then this may tip the balance in our favour.