abuse in unit and nothing done about it

[ManxMum]

Wondered why ds4's behaviour went 'downhill' from easter '06. We thought it was just the asd rearing it's ugly head. Ds4 was waking with nightmares every night, constantly ill with colds and broke out in exema. He didn't want to get on the school bus. Found out by chance that a member of staff in ds4's unit had been illtreating him, verbally, mentally and physically. To cut a long story short, we removed him from the unit and he is now much happier at his new school and is progressing rapidly. His health has also improved. The school nurse said last week that she could not believe the difference in him, from a withdrawn, upset little boy, to a happy, interactive child who was always smiling. I can't believe someone could do this to my ds, who is so vulnerable and get away with it!. She is being monitored by the head of the unit, the same person who saw and new this was going on in the first place!
I am still crying when I think how she could have treated him the way she did, he is so loving.

That's awful, ManxMum. I saw some of the children from the unit at the DSs' school the other day and was thinking how very vulnerable they are compared with the other children. It is shocking that someone can breach their trust to care for the most disadvantaged members of society like this. I agree with Socci - can you kick up a stink about this?

We feel guilty that we didn't see what was going on sooner. Since this came to light there have been eight other reports from members and ex-members of staff who have voiced their concerns. Most of these statements were dismissed by the education dept as 'sour grapes'. By the time the case was bought before the disciplinary committee, the union representative made out that we were all parents with a grudge (even though I had never met this person!) and that as dates and times couldn't be confirmed, we must have been colluding. It wasn't just my son that suffered, other children still in the unit did too, incidents that were witnessed and not even logged in the accident report log. As for going to the press, this person has threatened legal action if we did, as to all intents and purposes, she is innocent! My ds4 was dragged across the room by his arm, whilst lying on the floor, screamed at whilst only a foot away and had unexplained bruises. Another child was 'slammed' against a wall. Both children have no communication and couldn't speak out. Sorry, tears stop me again.

I'm so sorry - that is dreadful. Please don't beat yourself up though, you've done what you can to raise the alarm and you got your DS4 out when you realised. I'm so glad that he is happier now.

This is so shocking. I cannot beleive this person is being "monitored", she should have been sacked!
I wish you could get together with the other parents and do something about it. It is simply unfair to allow this person to get away with this.
On the other hand, thank goodness your Ds is now happy and well.

Feeling more positive now. Have warned other parents, whose children are in the unit, so it really is their own fault if they ignore any warning signs. I know it sounds harsh, but there really is nothing more I can do. I now have to spend my time and effort on DS4

Manxmum - I'm so terribly sorry at this terrible breach of trust. You must be gutted - as any of us would be in these circumstances.

I agree though, that this must be a police matter and not left to the unit in question. There was a very similar story on another site that I use - ukscrappers.co.uk and the staff member there was prosected and found guilty. The thread was in the community forum there - you will have to register but can then search for it.

You really must involve the police - otherwise there is no way in which other children can be protected from this horrific ordeal!