URGENT advice needed. I am shaking with rage....

[BiddyMcBride]

Last week, someone I know did an agency shift as a TA in the ASD provision where my DS attends school. She came to me today, after a week of deliberating what to do and obviously feeling shaken herself, to disclose that she saw a total lack of professionalism at the unit and was really worried for my DS, who she said was demonised, stigmatised and blamed by almost all the staff there, but particularly by his class teacher and TA.

She said she was deeply disturbed by staff's attitudes towards the children. Nobody wanted to be there, they spoke in derogatory terms about the children (and parents) behind their backs. Disturbingly, my DS wasn't even in that day. When they found out he was sick, they high-fived each other and were all really happy . She said the way the staff talked about him was awful and she has never witnessed anything like it.

I am outraged. Things have been awful there for after a catalogue of staff changes last year, but I have had nothing but a feeling that the atmosphere is bad and DS unhappy - no 'evidence' or 'proof' that they are nasty bastards.

Now I have it, what do I do?

The lady who 'whistelblew' to me is worried they will contact her agency and say she broke confidentiality if they find out she has told me, but said she just couldnt keep it from me as it was so awful. I trust her completely, and dont want to put her in an awkward position, but I cant let this lie.

I am never sending him back there again, btw

I share your anger. That agency TA was a very brave woman - I hope you protect her.

However it's going to be difficult to make a formal complaint based on heresay.

I would do what you have done and remove him. If there are any other parents you can trust not to divulge your source I would make them aware too.

Thanks WA.

I have to disclose this, though. I can't just walk away and not do anything about this, can I?

In addition to the morals of the matter, I wont get a place at another ASD unit without having good reason to give this place up, I don't think. Places here are like god dust, based completely on the reputation of a former head of provision and ex-teaching staff, who were great.

Ironically, we had his Annual Review yesterday and they smiled in my face, the bastards .

I feel so, so angry. WTF am I going to do?

Btw, I think the agency TA would be willing to stand by what she said and make a formal complaint herself - she said she thought about doing this, but wanted to let me know first. But obviously, she is worried about her employment prospects, too (although she said she wouldnt step foot in the place again).

If she's prepared to blow her cover then complain. But I think I'd want to gather my own evidence first - like dropping in announced during the day etc.

No way am I ever sending him back there, I'm afraid. Its too late for gathering evidence

He is a vulnerable child with complex special needs. They dont care about him. i cant leave him in their care ever, ever again.

The agency should have a whistle blowing policy in place, or she should go direct to the LEA with her concerns. If she's with Unison, all the better because she can go through them and get protection. I advise she joins immediately.

I'm with a similar agency (is there more than one, actually? Mine covers both counties i live near) and they have policies in place.

PM me if you want to, chances are it is the same agency - begins with C - and i can put my hands straight on my induction info to check. If not the same one, they'll have similar guidelines.

I would keep your involvement well out of it, that is a breach of confidentiality on your friend's part. Could be construed as Gross Misconduct if things get nasty.

Good luck!

Keep him out, say he's sick or something, and report to Ofsted. They can't act on hearsay but it will give them food for thought and something they might want to look into further. They also won't act if your ds is not a pupil there so you need to complain whilst he is technically still there.

How can I keep out of it, though? This is my child they are talking about and his (much fought for) school place!

Every county council will have a 'whistleblowing policy'. I can lay my hands on ours if it helps. As a TA in a special school I would whistle blow without hesitation if I ever encountered behaviour like that.

Thank you hellhasnofury. It would be useful to get an idea of what sort of things such a policy would say.

I could have cried when she told me. What a good person. She said she spent the entire day in a state of shock, disbelieving that people who dislike SN children would choose to work with them.

Terrifying, really.

how awful - what a night,are for you.
is this a unit attached to a mainstream school or a SS? I think it's more difficult to complain about an independent school but a state school should be straight on it.
If your friend isn't bothered about working there again she should be fine getting another placement surely?

can you report to the SEN ombudsman? I think I read there was a problem with academies though.

Oh that is truley awful. I am so angry to hear that.

It's your friend who needs to blow the whistle. She should call her agent first thing tomorrow and set up a meeting. My lady specialises in Early Years an SEN (i work both) and is as much for the staff as for the clients, after all i make her money by being good at and happy in my work!

Call the LA tomorrow. I know in general, we hate them on here. But this is what they are there for, and despite the purse-strings thing, they WILL care.

Shit I'm so sorry this has happened. Bastards. Very angry and sad for you and your DS.

Are you around during the day, can you keep him at home? (not sure if the rules are different when there's SEN, you could post on home ed board as they'll know there)

I am so sorry. I know how you feel. A similar thing happened to me, which I have posted about before. New TA turned up at my house in tears to tell me how my eldest son was being treated (at his mainstream school. f/t 1:1). I'm not going to hijack with the whole sorry tale, but I just wanted to let you know that I totally understand and have felt (still feel!) what you are feeling.

We left, just got both children the hell out of there. Looking back, we should have complained and I wish we had. If your TA is willing to go all the way with this, then she should report it. It is vile that our children are treated this way. Even if nothing happens other than they know that people know, maybe that will make them think about what they are doing. They should be ashamed of themselves.

How are you doing, Biddy?

Definitely see if your friend will complain officially. Even if all she is willing to do is email her own manager at the agency it would help.

She cannot be criticised for asking him/her for advice and stating her concerns. There's something written and official on file then, which you can lay hands on via freedom of information act should you need to.

I posted a longish message on here... what happened to it?

You need to speak to her because if you complain first then it may be worse for her. I don't think confidentiality is an issue as she is not disclosing information about another child only yours. Also there is an exception for child protection matters.
I know someone who blew the whistle as a nurse and ended up at employment tribunal for her troubles.
She now works as a TA and also saw something very shocking in the mainstream school she works at recently and again blew the whistle to the HT - but I know she was really anxious about what would happen to her.
Joining a union is good advice.
It helps she is not employed by the school / LA and hopefully the agency will back her.
Once she has blown the whistle then I would make your complaint.
But let this person / the agency get some legal advice first if possible

Write down everything she told you before you forget.