DS's SSA being used as general class TA

[TiffanyToothache]

DS (ASD) has statement of full time 1:1 support in mainstream.

At the start of the school year I met the class teacher and she asked me if it would be Ok if his 1:1 were to do reading groups with other DC whilst DS was in a reading group with class teacher. So I smiled sweetly and said no way, he was allocated 1:1 full time on his statement. She was a bit taken aback and said something about it being a waste of resources, so, very sweetly again, I pointed out they were DS's resources. (I also pointed out he needs accompanying to the toilet, and at times (anxiety related) goes several times per hour - how would this work in her suggested scenario).

Have heard through the playground grapevine that DS's 1:1 is signing the other DC's reading diaries. . . It's parents eve this week, help me please! How do I tackle this. Thanks in advance.

That is so out of order. No advice for you - DS' LSA went on the school's week long residential trip....DS didn't. I protested but it fell on deaf ears.

Is your statement completely foolproof about his LSA being solely for your DS? Some of them say 1:1 or small group work BUT DS would have to be IN the group if that was case. Cheeky sods, i'd be livid!
Speak to the HT and if that doesn't sort it out you need to speak to the LA as they are paying for the 1:1 for YOUR DS.

Thanks for your replies. His statement stipulates "full time (including breaks and lunchtimes) 1:1 support"
I think 1:1 means just that - 1 adult to 1 child - not group work. Not sure it be misunderstood.
The thing is, on the whole, he is OK - but we don't know when he won't be OK, or need the loo, which is why he got 1:1! Didn't bloody work so hard to get his statement for them to ignore it.

Related, his lunchtime 1:1 seems to be non-existent. It's an identified dinner lady, but there have been 2 incidents since Sept and when I ask where was his 1:1 he says "I don't know, she wasn't there" so it's a wider issue really off them not taking his support seriously.

You really need if possible to lay a paper trail. Raise it at the parents' evening, take a note of what the teacher says, and email her afterwards confirming it. If she doesn't deny it, that would be taken to be strong proof. I suspect she might go down the route of trying to justify it, so again you need to take a note of that whilst repeating that by law DS has to have 1:1 all the time. Also ask what the playtime arrangements are and what they have done to ensure that the dinner lady understands she is allocated to DS alone and there can be no further incidents of her mysteriously not being there during breaks.

I would also suggest having a meeting with the head and/or SENCO, preferably having someone with you to take notes, at which you point out that 1:1 means what it says and that it doesn't appear to be happening. You could hint that you don't want to have to go down the legal route but you will if this isn't sorted out. Then again send them a copy of the types-up notes of the meeting afterwards.

If this still isn't sorted after that, contact the council SEN department and point out that it is their duty to ensure that the statement is complied with, it doesn't seem to be happening, please could they liaise with the school to ensure that it does otherwise you will have to consider judicial review proceedings.

And if none of that works, consult specialist solicitors with a legal aid contract (because a judicial review would be in DS' name) about sending a formal letter warning of court proceedings. That should wake them up if nothing else does.

You could speak to IPSEA or SOSSEN - they will give you some ideas about what to say.

Thank you so much, I really value your responses