Can anything be done about school slurs?

[Cheeseswept]

Ds has recently been permanently excluded after school admitted they couldn't meet his needs. We don't want him back there but they acted really badly (it was obvious they didn't want him there) so we are taking further action on this. Other dc's at the school are now saying to ds that the TA involved had been talking all about it at school and telling people that ds hit her in the face which is totally untrue. We haven't lived here long and now have the situation where parents and dc's think he is some kind of violent attacker rather than a vulnerable child with autism. Is there anything we can do to put this right? The disciplinary hearing hasn't even been held yet!

I think this is diabolical TA is so wrong to be talking about it at all! Obviously she is talking about it to all and sundry as your other DC's know.
I personally would complain to the LEA.
BTW I wouldn't want my lovely son to go to their precious school (might consider moving other DC's as well)
Good luck don't let them upset you. Don't know if this is any help but I am so angry for you.

Thanks 2old - not my dc's at the school btw, it was some of ds's mates thet told him.
I am furious about it but school have a habit of twisting the truth. Think it's so wrong that she is even discussing it and I can't wait to see what she's put in her statement. Trouble is the 'witness' to the incident is her mate and ds was excluded before anyone even spoke to him to get his side of the story - he was still writing out his statement when we collected him from school.
Can't see the lea being particularly helpful tbh.

At very least I would email the head teacher and tell her - factually and unemotionally - that this TA is breaching a disabled child's confidentiality. That should get the tittle tattler into a little trouble. May not achieve much but at least it marks this unprofessional woman's card. I would cc the LA head of SEN on the email - a) to further embarrass the school and b) so that the HT has to be seen by her bosses to be taking some action. I had a situation once in mainstream and complained in this way - the culprit got sent off on some extra training.

As it's a permanent exclusion we are not allowed any contact with staff, allowed on the premises etc. so no point complaining. They always ignored our complaints in any case and we were told (after sending 2 letters in a year) that we were being 'excessive'and told not to write to them again

You could write to the HT and include a FOI request for the accident / incident log with any entries showing your DS injuring others. They have to respond to the FOI even if they ignore the rest.

You might be able to employ a Solicitor to send a single letter to TA warning her to desist from making untrue statements or be at risk of defamation proceedings. (you wouldn't want to take it any further libel actions are expensive) but you might be able to pay for 1 letter to be sent if you are really fed up. It would be legal action against her personally as libel would be deemed to be outside the course of her employment so that may frighten her as she would have no-one to hide behind / pay the legal costs. You may be able to explain in the letter what is being said within the community and ask for a written apology. I don't know, its not my area, but may be worth getting some advice as a one off.

If it ever goes to a Tribunal eg discrimination then you can ask for evidence to be given on oath.

If it's a permanent exclusion you are entited to a face to face meeting with the giverbors within 50 days of the exclusion. You are also entitled to write to them, Head of information services, and Head of Children's services at your local council + Ofstead.

It won't do any good though, what will is when your son does achieve elsewhere, and finally looks healthy and happy walking down the street a year later. (benefit of personal experience as people DO notice how much happier a properly supported child looks when they see them out and about - you wouldn't believe how much weight DS has put on!).

Basically the BEST revenge is for your child to thrive elsewhere, and to be seen to be doing so. Focus on making that happen.

I really sympathise/empathise OP, it is both saddening and anger-inducing when schools (and LEAs) stoop to the low levels they do with our ASD dc and us parents too (I have read some absolute libels written about me in the past that I mostly discovered through FOI requests). Bochead is right about the best revenge...but that could take some time to achieve, as LEAs tend to protect their own first, and you may well have to battle with them for some time to get the right placement for your ds. Channel all your emotions into that and try to hold your head high in the meantime. My ds was finally properly placed a year ago after 4 years of hell, including social exclusion for the both of us (we had to move because of it, I'm also an LP so it was easier for people to be mean) but now it's all on track. But it's so wrong and even now I feel strongly about all the deceit and power that these people wielded over us. And I also believe that one day I'll expose them (the relevant teachers, TAs, HTs and LEA bean counters) for the lying, self-serving shites they really are when I can think of a really good way of doing it. Meanwhile keep us posted on progress and my heartfelt thoughts go to both you and ds. xx

They can't just decide to ignore a complaint about a TA breaching a child's confidentiality. Get a copy of the school's complaints policy, and if they won't implement it keep escalating it. Most policies say something to the effect that you need to complain to the head first, if she doesn't sort it out go to the governors, if you're still not happy go to the local authority.

I wouldnt bother complaining unless theres a way they can repair the damage, myself. They could just say the untrue rumours are circulating because she respected his confidentiality:

DS left because needs weren't met.
Local gossips said it was cos he hit TA.
Our marvellous TA couldn't tell the real reason, or even confirm/ deny the hitting, cos then everyone would know DS had a 1-1
Let's polish our halos, we're relaunching as St. SEN Friendly's

Go via the LEA rather than the school itself. Put all your complaints in writing.

I think the LA will refer them back to the school if they don't go through their complaints system first.