Does anyone work in a special school or with kids with real challenging behaviour?

[Meltinthemiddle]

I've started working as a TA coming from a nursery background. I knew it would be hard and I had my WTF moments when I first started and then I bonded with the children and loved it. I considered my new colleagues to be super hero's and never thought I could be half as good as them. There are few children that the experienced staff worked with. However their challenging behaviour has meant some of them have been badly hurt with one of them actually leaving as result due to head injury. I have now started working with these children and one in particular, and although we have bonded I know from previously with others it can soon change. And if I'm honest I am scared. They are very strong, will attack staff or other children, often hitting, kicking, throwing toys which has caused concussion for one staff member. I find myself often blocking attacks whilst desperately trying to distract and descalate. I have never worked in a ss before but restraint is the last resort here, also no breakout area unless child chooses. So if they are attacking we protect the children or remove them if can so we are basically taking the hits. I knew I would get hurt and I have done by other children but I feel like I'm a sitting duck if I'm honest with these two children who take it to another level. We also often work alone transiting them around the school following their time table so taking them to different activities.. So for example, there have been times where I have stuck with a child refusing to leave a room or playground then lashing out of I try and make them because we share the space with other classes. Is this the really the reality? I'm starting to get nightmares flinching in my sleep and real anxiety because I've already been on the receiving end of smacks to the head and face, kicking, biting etc. Some of the attacks come no where. I don't want to give up or quit but I like I'm not safe and I thought being a ss you would get more support but there really isn't.

Yes, it's the reality. I thought being a single mum with two severely autistic kids I would get more support too, but there it is. My kids are 4 and 5 and I van still lift cand carty both of them at the same time, in case they both have a meltdown at the same time while we're out and there are roads near, I need to be able to do it or we'll be house bound. We used the strongest pram we could find until the metal frame sheared in two. I'll break next, then what?

*can still lift and carry, need sleep...

I've spent most of my 20 year career with children whose behaviour is severely challenging to others but none of the schools I have worked in have used those strategies (moving other children and the adults just accepting a battering).

Not every trigger can be eliminated/ forseen and de-escalated, unfortunately, especially while a school is first getting to know a child. Every setting I have worked in has, as a last resort, removed a child who is targeting agression at others to a safe place to de-escalate and either supported from a safe distance or if absolutely necessary used RPI to ensure nobody gets seriously injured.

There is a big difference between a child who is lashing out who can have space created around them and then be distracted and redirected to one who is intent on hurting specific individuals, repeatedly returning to the individual to try to hurt them etc. The same child can display both types of 'agressive' behaviour but they need to be responded to differently. What would your staff team do if a child was seriously endagering themselves (trying to pull an IWB off a wall, or trying to smash a window with a rock etc)?

I work in a special school and it's absolutely not acceptable for you to be a sitting duck or accept that this is just how it is

For behaviours like you are describing we would have 2:1 support for transitions, on call support for crisis behaviours and a behaviour plan that includes behaviour analysis-what are the triggers and what strategies have been effective in de-escalation previously

No that's not right, it sounds as if they have lost control of a situation with some children.
They need to create a secure, low stimulation safe room where children can de-escalate without putting themselves or others in danger.
They need a proper risk management and handling plan for every child that is experiencing this sort of behaviour.
And you all need full training on positive handling. Yes it's a last resort and it should be, but staff should still feel confident to use it.
The more the children sense that school is not a safe place to express their behaviour, the more dysregulated they'll get.
Can you get the staff together to start to make a plan for the way forward?

I think these children are ment to be 2:1 but they are sharing extra staff if we have one that day. So depends on the mood of child but it can be very unpredictable and change in seconds. The last staff member was in the class alone with the child when they suddenly turned 😔. It depends who's working with the children as they respond better with others for no particular reason. It almost seems like the relationship has a shelf life and the child will just gradually turn until a crisis point. I don't feel safe working with them due to my lack of experience and also the way it's managed.

Perhaps arrange a meeting with your line manager to talk through this. Are any other specialists involved who could maybe off some training / strategies? Do students have any behaviour/emotional regulation plans or review meetings? A risk assessment could be an idea.
Injury to staff is not uncommon is these settings but tight systems should be in place to minimise risk.
I hope your situation improves it is a rewarding role.

Thank you for the replies. I am finding I'm really struggling with the job at the moment 😢 as been allocated to a few of the more challenging children in class so feel like I'm getting hurt/attacked daily. It's so physically and mentally challenging especially working with the same child everyday. The other day I was smacked several times across the head. Didn't have time to write it up or really think too much of it. But a few days later I had the most horrendous headache and pressure to my head which I'm now linking to that so may have been concussion. Im finding myself flinching alot when people make sudden movements and my anxiety is definitely high. Is this normal? I think it's just grinding me down if I'm honest.

What kind of job expects you to take hits to the face on a regular basis?! I'm shocked on your behalf.
I currently work in a nursery do come from the same background as you I guess.
At least in a nursery setting children are a lot smaller.

Jobseeker I work as a a SEN TA. I'm fairly still new 3 months into job but seem to have been thrown even deeper. I was prepared for challengeing behaviour and to get hurt but not to this extreme. I thought there would be more things in place to prevent it or more support from others 😢. I've been desperately looking for other jobs over the weekend but not sure what to do though and feel like a failure for even thinking of leaving. I just don't feel like I'm being supported and just feeling like a human punch bag but have to accept it as that's what others experience too or at least some do.