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Is DS's old school being unreasonable, or is this a thing?

5 replies

Bannerpants · 29/01/2020 15:27

Hi, this is my first post, so I'm not quite sure if I'm in the right place.
DS is 11 and is in yr7 at SEN High School.
He attended a mainstream primary.
He's been awarded 3hrs a week direct payments for a Personal Assistant, and his old 1-1 teaching assistant from primary school asked if she could do it.
We thought that this would be a brilliant idea, as DS and her have always had a great relationship, and I'd feel comfortable leaving him in her care.
We set everything up and she was due to take him out for the first time next weekend, when she called me to say that she's been told she's not allowed to do it.
Her employer, DS's old school, have told her that because he's a former student, she's not supposed to have contact with him!
Apparently its a conflict of interest, and a safeguarding issue.
The teaching assistants at his current school are PA's to pupils there, so I'm confused by what they are saying.
When I called the council to cancel everything, they said that had never heard of anything like it either.
Does anyone know if they actually have a right to say what she can or can't do in her own time?
Thank

OP posts:
Hehx3 · 03/02/2020 22:27

Hi, not able to answer your question but perhaps IPSEA will be helpful?

HotPenguin · 06/02/2020 22:24

Are they maybe misinterpreting the policy? I can understand the school not allowing staff to strike up friendships with children after they have left but I am sure lots of TAs have contact with former pupils eg through volunteering with the scouts, leading church groups etc. Could you ask the new school to help?

cabbageking · 06/02/2020 23:37

It depends on the schools policy and if they agree she can take on additional work or not.

They may have a policy about contact, social media and phones in their safeguarding policy.

It is up to the school that employs her. She should know her own policies if I am honest. I would have expected her to check with the Head before making arrangements.

reefedsail · 07/02/2020 20:26

It is not unusual for school TAs to do respite care work for pupils they work with in school during the day.

divergirl · 07/02/2020 20:29

U

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