Am I expecting too much?

[jomica]

My nine year old has a support assistant for 17 hours each week. Lately she's had time off - presumably sickness - but no-one thinks to tell my son she isn't coming in. The result is that he waits for her all day, but she never comes, and he returns home feeling badly treated.

 

This morning I talked to the SENCO about this (again). She said that it was a very easy job to make sure that he was told - agreed! - and said she'd sort it.

 

I picked DS up from school this afternoon. His support assistant hadn't been in school again and - yet again - no-one had told him.

 

I'm furious. Telling him takes so little effort it is unbelievable, but not telling him makes him anxious all day and worries him at night.

 

Am I expecting too much??

[reuby2]

Is it possible to talk to his teacher rather than trusting the senco to pass this on? It sounds like communication within the school isn't working very well. <'>

[oxgirl]

I don't blame you for being annoyed, jomica, I would be too. Like you say, it would be so easy to tell him, how much effort would it take?! It's the very fact that they don't think to, or simply forget to, that shows how little they understand.

 

It's the same at my school, they're supposed to be a specialist ASD Unit, but I'm having to explain to them that if there's a change to my lad's timetable they need to warn him in advance and write it on the board for him or he'll react badly, and they're STILL not doing it! They should know these things! Grrrrrrrrrrr!

 

~ Mel ~

[jomica]

Is it possible to talk to his teacher rather than trusting the senco to pass this on? It sounds like communication within the school isn't working very well. <'>

 

Sorry, I should have said - I've already talked to the teacher on other occasions about it, hence my visit to the SENCO this time.

[pumpkinpie]

If talking isnt doing any good prehaps it needs to be put in writing.

[jomica]

Probably next step is an appointment with the headteacher and then I've followed the school's complaints procedure.

 

It all feels like a bit much for something so small and easy to do!!

[Bagpuss]

I don't think your expecting too much Jomica.....sounds to me like basic common sense. Not only are you having to deal with the disruption your ds's assistant being absent frequently is causing, but to not even tell him is only causing him needless anxiety...which I assume you will have to deal with once he gets home. I'd take it further, as you have already spoken to the teacher and the SENCO, so you've given them reasonable time to rectify it and prevent it happening again. Good luck

[Deedee]

We have the same problem only she's not always off she's just doing other things in another room or class!! Why did we fight for 3 years to get 1-1 then???Do approach the head and see what he/she says,sometimes they leave the SENCO to their own devices and don't bother to actually check they are doing their job.

[witsend]

Hi jomica - no I don't think you're expecting too much at all. It's the so called 'little things' that can often be great big things for our kid, and the school should realise this!

I would definately go to the head and/or if it's possible go into the classroom every day and ask the teacher wether the TA is going to be in today so that you may tell your son as it's very important to him to know this! I'm sure if you say this same thing every day for a week (or less! ) they may beging to realise it would be a good idea for them to tell your son first and actually remember to do so.

Good Luck

Luv Witsend.