If I go back will I be put on capability

[NameChange201]

I feel my school want to put me on capability.

I am signed off now. If I go back won't they just put me on capability straightaway?

I am very worried.

The problem is Blanche, there's absolutely nothing solid. Originally there was a meeting today, colleague is signed off. The atmosphere has been hostile from the start - essentially middle management (and senior for that matter!) isn't very competent and I think colleague is being made something of a scapegoat.

Poor attendance was for a good reason at the start of the year, unfortunately it got things off on a bad note.

Yes, agreed, but unions aren't always very helpful.

Yes, agreed, but unions aren't always very helpful.
Unions have been fabulous whenever I've needed them. You'd be an utter mug to be in one or not to consult one in a situation like this. Definitely tell you friend to contact whoever she's with!

I agree a union should be contacted: however it doesn't mean they're going to help. We'll see.

I have been SLT in two schools (sorry, unpopular I know) and have taken a fair few staff through informal support. The majority have met their targets and that is that. Only where staff have not engaged have they progressed to capability (or left before formal procedures started).

Attendance, unless it is ridiculously low, doesn't of itself trigger a capability procedure. So unless your friend just doesn't bother going in she will have been able to supply acceptable reasons for her absences.

If there has been an informal meeting then there will be a list of expectations. That is the point of the meeting. If the list is wispy, unrealistic or just plain ludicrous then union support is essential. Right now.

If the meeting has been missed a letter will be sent. The procedure will continue - or start, if there hasn't been an informal meeting yet.

Don't worry, I'm the enemy too :) but I also know that it's not always a fair playing field and I'm fairly certain it's not in this instance. Like I say, normally I'd just advise someone to leave, but the pregnancy makes the situation difficult.

Friend has letter from GP for current absence. I wish I could be as confident as all of you that the union will help!

Scruffy books can be sorted. Friend needs to say she will give students new books and have them checked in a month/ half a term to make sure policy is followed. Attendance is a different matter. How long is she signed off for?

Madonna that is my experience too. I have only had 1 person who was incapable or couldn't be bothered to engage. He dragged it out for months, went right to the wire and then just walked out on us. It was horrendous for all concerned.

Unions are very, very good with capability. They may not tell your friend what she wants to hear, but they will give her lots of support and advice.

We'll have to agree to disagree re unions, I think :) Thanks for your help.

essentially middle management (and senior for that matter!) isn't very competent and I think colleague is being made something of a scapegoat.

Or maybe they are both aren't competent.

Unless you are with your friend all the time. Sit in on all meetings etc you won't 100% know what is going on.

Go to the union and see what they say.

Infused to work there Shut so I do have a vague idea that something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

OP I agree with your view wrt unions. In my experience (personal and listening to others' experiences) unions are not as all powerful as we believe and often their hands are tied.

Saying that, I still think it's important to go down that route of support. Also, fwiw, a friend of mine had to go through competency over books immediately after maternity leave. Was hideous. Union rep was not able to do much.

Yes to unions!

I went through a very bad stage in my career nearly 2 years ago and it actually started when I became pregnant and from comments said and details from other members of staff, it was pregnancy related discrimination. There were other issues too and I wasn't the only one with them.

My union were absolutely fab! In fact, they wanted to bring a case against the HT due to the evidence I had from conversations, observations and learning walks etc.

I chose not to. In fact, the union wanted to meet with the entire school and get everyone to bring a 'grievance' against the HT but it fizzled out to nothing and rumours were that people were understandably scared for their jobs; which is the reason why I didn't. Also I had hope that the matters could be resolved with a more positive outcome.

2 years down the line, I am still working in the same school albeit the relationship between myself and the HT has soured, feels false when we speak to each other and quite frankly, I have zero trust in anyone as I do believe that when the 'dust has settled' (it never will with me; too suspicious) they will put me on capabilities and it just so happens that I have a terrible class at the moment!

So I suggest, from guess work, that your friend needs to leave the school asap. If she is on maternity leave, you can seek employment from schools in the same county without having to pay back any mat pay and in some cases, some schools/LEAs over-look it. I am not sure how this will work if you are working in an academy.

It's a shame your friend is being used as a scapegoat. unfortunately teaching is like any other employment environment - subject to bullying, wrong-doing, discrimination that also goes on in the private sector. Sometimes rather than fight, it is better to simply move forward. I believe in karma!

How pregnant is she? Can she ride it out until mat leave? Even if she were taken down capability during mat leave surely the process would have to be put on pause as she wouldn't be able to act on given targets if she's out of school. This is where you need Union advice.

She can leave up to 11 weeks prior to baby's due date.

As PP has said if she looks for work in the same borough it's continuous service, so if she is only just pregnant then she should be job searching. If she is in the first trimester things are still in the balance and she shouldn't avoid taking her leave of the school because of such an early pregnancy.