Where do we stand as parents? Choosing appropriate LSA.

[Pouncer1]

As parents do we get any input about choosing a new LSA? My DC has full time support in mainstream at the moment but there is a chance she will loose her current brilliant LSA and a new one will be appointed.

Don't want to say too much as don't want to be outed!

Sometimes parents can be on the interviewing panel but this is extremely rare.

Sometimes the parents can encourage someone they have in mind to go for the post and have the school agree to consider them as a serious applicant. That is also rare.

Our heartache and two years of fighting, plus a bunch of nastiness was because we wanted some say in the LSA. Schools like to keep control generally.

It depends on the school. My sons school allowed us to sit in while the TA candidates got to meet him and do a task with him and we were allowed to feedback afterwards. Ask your school.

Thank you starlight and inappropriate

My worry is they are going to employ someone already within the school...and I don't think there is anybody suitable to work with my DC within the school.

When should I go into school? Before interviews for the other job or after?

It's just the worry...it's driving me insane! I just want who's best for DC.

I think as soon as you know there is likely to be a change, go and talk to school. What is your relationship like with them?

My relationship with them is good, but I feel like I am going to overstep my mark as I have someone perfect lined up to work with DC...but how do I go about it? I have no choice but to overstep the mark as DD comes first and I will be letting her down if I don't speak up!

We cope well with her autism and get on with it but it's the worry of things like this I find very hard to deal with! It's times like this I feel/want to take her out and home tutor....

I know the feeling. I really do. It is the constant worry about these kind of issues which makes life so complicated.

I think you could say that you have heard from other parents in similar situations that some schools let them have a role in recruitment and you wonder if they would let you do that. You could then ask if they a recruiting could they let you know as you know someone who might be perfect for the role which is complex!!

Thank you again for your reply.

I will go and have a chat tomorrow and hope I come away feeling positive.

Let us know how you get on! Good luck

Thanks. Xx

Had a chat today and the job will be offered internally first :(

Not what I ideally wanted to hear, but if there isn't anybody suitable it will then be external.

I asked if we could be involved in the recruitment but unfortunately it's not normal practise for our council! Grrrr

I'd like to know for OP what the legal position is.

We had a totally unsuitable LSA for maternity leave and kept up a strong dialogue with the HT before, during and after but they refused to back down.

DS during the six months maternity leave behaviour deteriorated to unprecendented violent behaviour towards LSA never seen before or after. My poor ds he must have had a terrible time. Thank goodness it was only for six months.

Good luck OP.

Legally, it is a very difficult one as there is no right to be present at any recruitment stage. Good schools will see the sense in involving parents if a child has complex needs so that they can get a 'joint' decision.

In terms of the skills of the TA, what does the statement say? Unfortunately, many statements are woolly about training and experience so schools can put anyone in place but there is potentially a disability discrimination argument if the person is unsuitable and the child is put at a disadvantage because of it. Whether they are unsuitable will of course be a question of fact which parents and school may well disagree on.

An added complication is that sometimes people with no training but great instincts, sound social skills and high levels of emotional intelligence can make great TAs who can be trained up easily but who, in the meantime, may have a natural affinity with a child with SN.

I have seen this happen but sadly not with my child and it is rare as hen's teeth.

TAs are a hugely tricky problem and it is really disgraceful that our children's education relies on such poorly paid and often poorly skilled workers. My son has been effectively driven out of two schools by poor TAing (and one was a trained teacher) and I think it has turned him against school for good.

I don't think there's any provision within the SEN CoP for parents to have control over who works with their children. The expectation is that parents will be 'involved' with SEN decisions, but that doesn't (as far as I am aware) spread as far as operational decision making (ie. who is recruited).

However, you are able to lodge a complaint if the support is inadequate and your child is affected.