I'm looking for advice on a SEN school situation

[ImLookingForSENHelp]

Hello,

I am posting on behalf of my friend. He is a male supply teacher. He trained as a history teacher, but he is currently doing supply until a permanent job comes up.

A few weeks ago, he was booked to work in an SEN school as a TA for a few days. He enjoyed the post and the kids liked him, so the school have been booking him more and more.

Today, he was told by the teacher that the other TA in the class (who is a permanent, employed by the school member of staff) has unexpectedly quit. Because of this, my friend will now be expected to do the nappy changes/ toileting when he works with that class. This task was previously performed mostly by the TA and sometimes the teacher. I don't want to give specifics about the students, but let's just say that a large part of my friend's day will now be spent doing this task. He has been offered no training on how to do this aspect of the job.

My friend is not happy about this situation at all. He knows that as a male teacher, he is in a dangerous position. He wants to know what the law in this area is and what he should say to the school.

Can anyone help us please?

It is a fairly normal part of the work in some SEN settings and whether male or female there are normally care plans for the children and training provided, particularly as it could involve moving people using hoists etc.

Apart from that he would need to turn the supply down.

He can ask to read the school policy ... he can ask for training...

If he does not want to complete nappy changes he can talk to the management and ask to move to a different section of the school (in some schools this would make no difference.. ) or not work in the school.

It is part of the TA's job in an SEN school

I wouldn't say he's in a dangerous position, toileting and intimate care are a normal part of working in a SEN school, although in my school short term supply don't tend to be used for it. He should definitely ask for the care plans and school policies if he wants to stay in that class. If he doesn't want to do it, SLT might move him to a different class.

Thank you to the responders.

However, it wasn't the response we expected really. My pal wants to get out of this situation as easily as possible, and for good reason. He is an NQT and feels that this current situation may come back to haunt him later.

Look, we don't wish to give specific details, but he will be expected to provide intimate, one-to-one, care to young and vulnerable students. He has had no training or support to equip him for this situation. He is very worried about the lack of paperwork and so on.

But he's on supply?
So if he doesn't want to do the job offered (which involves changing nappies) then he can turn it down and tell his agency that he'll only accept jobs where no personal care is needed...., problem solved.

If he wants to stay in that particular school though he might have to bite the bullet.
Make sure he reads and adheres to the schools intimate care policy.
Ask for training.
Changing nappies is nobody's favourite part of the job but the young people need it so he needs to get on with it really.

I'm puzzled about what will "come back to haunt him"

What does the school's intimate care policy say?

Ours makes it clear that no intimate care is to be carried out by a lone member of staff. There always has to be at least two of us in the room.

Every single nappy change has to be documented. The date, time, and names of staff present have to be recorded. Does your friend's school not do this too?

My school has an intimate care policy too - due to the number of students that need changing and the staff ratio it is rarely possible to have 2 staff at a change - but the policy reflects that.

All staff are DBS checked and therefore should be 'safe' to change children.

If he is unhappy with paperwork - protocol - etc - he needs to turn the job down.

As an NQT - he should really be looking for teaching posts - I'm not sure working as a TA - is that great an idea.

If he doesn't want the job, for whatever reason, then he just has to tell the agency, and not go back.

@Chr1stmasCarole

But he's on supply? So if he doesn't want to do the job offered (which involves changing nappies) then he can turn it down and tell his agency that he'll only accept jobs where no personal care is needed...., problem solved.

If he wants to stay in that particular school though he might have to bite the bullet.
Make sure he reads and adheres to the schools intimate care policy.
Ask for training.
Changing nappies is nobody's favourite part of the job but the young people need it so he needs to get on with it really.

I'm puzzled about what will "come back to haunt him"

By "haunting him", I mean that my friend is worried about the comments people will make about this situation. He's quite sensitive and worries a lot about what people think. His mind is running wild over this. Yes, he needs to build up his resilience, but he obviously isn't able to do that overnight sadly.

Thank you for the suggestion. I am passing them on.

What comments is he worried about people making?

I work at an sen school and even the head teacher will do intimate care as it's about the dignity of the young people we work with

If he is worried about negative comments then he's in the wrong school

intimate care is all part and parcel of working with young/SEN children
as long as there are other adults nearby - he is recording what he has done and to which child and why, there should be nothing to worry about