Has anyone been involved in the recruitment process for their child's TA?

[hazeyjane]

Once again we are in battle with the school about ds's 1-1.

Has anyone had input into the recruitment and choice of their child's 1-1?

Is there an organisation that could help with backing me in this?

Anyone?

Am falling apart a bit here.

I haven't but didn't want this to go unanswered as things are clearly difficult.

I would say as it seems that placements have failed before now that that is a good reason for you to tell the school that your input may prove valuable. Imo the more heads the better!

And I think it's a great idea - I've found the staff I've connected better with and therefore where ds has had the best outcomes the ones who have a similar personality to me. It just makes even the simple chatting easier.

A working knowledge of Pokémon and Minecraft.. or willingness to learn.

Ds met both his ta's he tends to form rigid opions.... Thankfully he liked both of them but they could talk Minecraft/ Pokémon.

My DS's school refuses to even allocate one specific person so more than one share him (but he does get full time 1:1) can I ask, do you have some kind of specific wording on the EHCP in respect to having a "specific" TA/LSA?

Phew I thought I had worn my invisibility cloak whilst posting!

Ds is in a mainstream infants in a complex needs unit. He spends most of his time in mainstream, with a 1-1. Well 2 1-1s......

We had a disaster with the first 1-1 ds had when he started to spend more time in ms, we had a stormy meeting with the head, and the senco/head of SEN unit, and it was decided that a TA would be taken on, who could help ds transition to juniors (this was at the beginning of year 2), we asked that they have training in Makaton in place and experience of speech and language.

They took on someone who, it transpires, has done baby signing, not Makaton. The TA has never bonded with ds, and has clashed with me, she switched to part time, meaning communication is hard. His AAC device was not used for weeks (I know this as I would type a message in the morning, which was still there in the afternoon), and signing is non existent.

I had a minor meltdown to the head of unit, and we have agreed there will be a change of personnel. But I do not want the same mistakes made, I want some input, and I want a trial period.

Yes, I think 2 works well, for a number of reasons (and as a 1-1 from the other side, I think it benefits everyone to share the 1-1ing with someone) - but it is really important that both of the TAs have the relevant training. Ds has another TA in the afternoon now, and likes her, and he loves doing maths with her (hazeyboy LOVES numbers!!) but she also doesn't sign, and doesn't even attempt to use his device.

The training part I can help address, I can kick all the relevant bums, and hopefully get everyone doing the same stuff. But the right person, is trickier.

Reading with interest as in process of getting a 1:1 for dc2. I'm apprehensive as have heard the school is prone to employing parents in the school rather then looking for properly qualified individuals.

Well that went arse about face. Turns out the TA they have changed isn't the one we want changed.....she is supposed to be staying on as ds's TA into juniors. There then followed a really awkward conversation and rushed meeting with the head. What a fucking mess.

I know zzzzz, I am a mess at the moment, a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I really feel like I have to take a step back, because I could barely talk when I realised that they saw no problem with the TA, but they obviously have a problem with the other one! My stupid arse Catholic guilt has also kicked in and I am suffering an overwhelming guilt. What the fuck is the matter with me!

Oh hazey I'm so sorry it got worse not better. It really isn't difficult to get someone trained in makaton or aac. But it's dreadful not giving a child a voice.

and to both you and zzzzz.

Or a wazoooo! They have to be the MOST annoying sound in the whole wide world!

Guilt is only useful if it pushes you to do better.

Useless guilt is my thing, I do it very well. It is the main reason for my huge arse.

Honestly aim normally a lot more kick arse about this stuff. Dh and I arr flummoxed. We have gone from school admitting they have let ds and us down, and taken their eye of the ball to the head saying she doesn't understand why we are so negative and that we must understand that ds's TA was contracted especially to him and as far as she can see has a wonderful relationship with him.....

Flummoxed.

I'm going to give hazeyboy a fuck off huge flugelhorn and tell him to blow it in the teachers ear every time theyask him a question.

Having a great relationship is good.

Not meeting his very specific needs is terrible.

One does not mean the other isn't as important.

I think I'd write that in a simple email. Also say that you want the dates the ta will take on the training as specified is needed to meet his needs or you'll have to JR.

It's just so unfair you have to do all this for ds when you've already done all the hard work and background stuff to find his needs. School should be meeting them

Thankyou for that post, zzzzz - I just read it out to dh, who clapped.

I have been down this rabbit hole for so long, I had honestly started to doubt myself.