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Dolly
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So I decided to go into teaching special needs...


I started in September as a teaching assistant and applied for a position as a unqualified teacher and got it (I will have my own class next year.)
I have now also applied for teacher training as the school wants to fund it.

But I'm starting to worry this isn't the right school for me. I'm being asked to break rules... I was asked to take lead of a class yesterday which I agreed to, but I asked for help. Class of nine students but four of them have epilepsy. I asked for another epilepsy trained staff member to be with me.... And I was told - you have the phone. I wouldn't want to tell the parents the rules that are being broken :(

I really love teaching these special needs students but I worry this school is going to break me. But I can't afford to train without them....

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Its a tricky situation.

My mum is going through something similar with her school. I think you have to stand your ground and insist that someone is with you, or talk to the union for advice if you joined it.

Dollypic
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Nixx wrote:
Its a tricky situation.

My mum is going through something similar with her school. I think you have to stand your ground and insist that someone is with you, or talk to the union for advice if you joined it.

I am currently a teaching assistant so I shouldn't really have the responsibility of a class anyway :/
I should look into the union I have so far assumed I cannot afford it as my salary is so low

Am unfamiliar with special needs education (so just 2c here). How much of a transgression is it, what's the reasoning behind it, what could it entail?
Have you gotten to know any coworkers in a similar position so far?

Have never heard of a company which has rules and, behind the veil of internal workings, follows them to the letter. Hard pressed to find anyone who even knows them that well. As a soldier, I was taught always to follow orders, even when illegal, except for "blatantly illegal" ones, meaning those which any person in their right mind would refuse. Notwithstanding, I would consider every action: request justification, refuse if deemed necessary (beyond basic immorality), send gripes in superiors' directions - sometimes it helped in altering the path.

Seconding union - if you have it, they ought to hold back the brunt of the haling.
But since you're getting extra responsibility for a low pay (taking benefits into account however), ought to inquire, at least, into alternatives. That sorta situation feels like sponsoring corruption in others, to me.

Didn't understand what "you have the phone" means - as in, to call someone for assistance by yourself?

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Are these school rules that are being broken or another entity? If they are school rules they probably are not carved in stone. Learning to be flexible when staffing is short handed may be necessary. If this proves to be a pattern, you may wish to notate all these incidents to raise with a school board member at a later time.

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Dollypic
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So in the class I work in there was originally one unqualified teacher, one higher level teaching assistant and two teaching assistants (one being me) which totalled four staff all epilepsy trained one first aid trained. Nine students all about 17 and all with special needs most autistic, four with epilepsy.
The epilepsy training stated this was the correct staffing for a class with such high percentage of epilepsy.

When a student has a seizure we need one staff to stay directly with him timing and monitoring consciousness. One staff must leave to get emergency medication. One staff must be available to remove other students (remembering another student could have a seizure so more staff need to be found/ join another class) someone must be available to call the ambulance out if required.

They are saying it's okay just call for help. But calling would require leaving a student having a fit on the floor so seems a scary unrealistic idea :(

Dollypic
(2 hours after post)
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At the moment I am thinking get the funded training from this school do it in one year then get out as quick as possible! In the hope that there is a school somewhere that wouldn't leave me in that situation where I feel student safety is put at risk

Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
(3 hours after post)
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You probably should keep a diary of what is going on. You could be the one that ends up getting in trouble and it is always best to have something written down about what took place and exactly when and where. Ummm yeah. Every place I have ever worked has broken rules too but that's construction and I'm not sure any builders are following all the rules. If they are they are losing money.

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Those writing the training manual are not the ones making the rules. That is the recommended staffing for the ideal special needs classroom. You must allow some flexibility, unless like I said, it becomes the "norm".

Electric
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....You have the phone. An epileptic seizure in most cases isn't life threatening. Take a training course. Ride out the next 2 years then find a different school.

Dolly wrote:
So in the class I work in there was originally one unqualified teacher, one higher level teaching assistant and two teaching assistants (one being me) which totalled four staff all epilepsy trained one first aid trained. Nine students all about 17 and all with special needs most autistic, four with epilepsy.
The epilepsy training stated this was the correct staffing for a class with such high percentage of epilepsy.

When a student has a seizure we need one staff to stay directly with him timing and monitoring consciousness. One staff must leave to get emergency medication. One staff must be available to remove other students (remembering another student could have a seizure so more staff need to be found/ join another class) someone must be available to call the ambulance out if required.

They are saying it's okay just call for help. But calling would require leaving a student having a fit on the floor so seems a scary unrealistic idea :(

Alright, that sounds quite optimised. What's the current situation - how many on your staff, and trained?
Is the emergency medication nearby, or on the other side of the place in some cabinet? Are there other classes nearby, are they also understaffed? Can the person going for medication or on standby make the call, on cue from the one monitoring? (Don't think that'd be fit to multitask, pressure and all.)
I understand it's scary. However, I believe that if you have a more substantial backup plan for the worst case scenario, it'll ease somewhat. 'fcourse, preferably whilst giving voice to the complexity of the situation till it changes for the better.
They're 17? Is there any issue with violent disposition? Have a preadolescent cousin, when he's running amok a single lapse in attention by his supervisors could spell calamity.

Dolly wrote:
At the moment I am thinking get the funded training from this school do it in one year then get out as quick as possible! In the hope that there is a school somewhere that wouldn't leave me in that situation where I feel student safety is put at risk

Aye, that's a good plan, as long as you're sufficiently comfortable with the everyday situation. (As one teacher used to say, sleeping soundly at night.)

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(7 hours after post)
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I'm sorry to say that this type of thing is one small part of why I didn't remain in teaching. Saw too many rules broken and too many kids in danger. I reported things that I saw to various "higher ups" and even to my mentor professor. Nothing was ever done, and it truly was a shock to me to see how much of what went on was ignored and/or accepted.
I realize that the job in the classroom during the day to day is anything but "textbook," but it was so hard to see the real life deviations.

In hearing your story, it makes me realize/remember how common it is.

My advice: you are young; you see a lot more of the idealistic world without being completely jaded from age and experience. You have fight in you.... go as high as you can with training and education, use your position/education (though it may take some time) and BE THE CHANGE...

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Im not sure if your in the UK but my mum is a teaching assistant too.

in their school there is 3 levels of assistant, level 3 can take classes unsupervised for a short time. Her school was constantly trying to make her do things above her paygrade. she 'can' do them, but wasnt paid to do it. so she refused as much as she could.

her school constantly pushes for people to do work above the paygrade. And there is so much wrong in that school there wouldnt be enough time to write it all.

Most of her kids did not have disabilities, but i would be greatly concerned that kids with epilepsy could be left alone when having a seizure. I guess you could do as you are told, plead ignorance, get your training and go. or report to higher members of staff ie the school board of governors about your concerns and see what is said.

Dollypic
(13 hours after post)
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PepperJ wrote:
I'm sorry to say that this type of thing is one small part of why I didn't remain in teaching. Saw too many rules broken and too many kids in danger. I reported things that I saw to various "higher ups" and even to my mentor professor. Nothing was ever done, and it truly was a shock to me to see how much of what went on was ignored and/or accepted.
I realize that the job in the classroom during the day to day is anything but "textbook," but it was so hard to see the real life deviations.

In hearing your story, it makes me realize/remember how common it is.

My advice: you are young; you see a lot more of the idealistic world without being completely jaded from age and experience. You have fight in you.... go as high as you can with training and education, use your position/education (though it may take some time) and BE THE CHANGE...

Thankyou for your honesty. I am still excited to move up to having a class of my own next year and have a lot of ideas and things i want to do/ change. :) some days i worry the lack of staffing will break me before i get there - but i want to give this a good go!

Dollypic
(13 hours after post)
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Nixx wrote:
Im not sure if your in the UK but my mum is a teaching assistant too.

in their school there is 3 levels of assistant, level 3 can take classes unsupervised for a short time. Her school was constantly trying to make her do things above her paygrade. she 'can' do them, but wasnt paid to do it. so she refused as much as she could.

her school constantly pushes for people to do work above the paygrade. And there is so much wrong in that school there wouldnt be enough time to write it all.

Most of her kids did not have disabilities, but i would be greatly concerned that kids with epilepsy could be left alone when having a seizure. I guess you could do as you are told, plead ignorance, get your training and go. or report to higher members of staff ie the school board of governors about your concerns and see what is said.

Yes I am in the UK. I am the lowest of low pay grade :P but as i have already interviewed me for having my own class next year they like to tell me to 'step up' I don't mind taking classes and winging it to an extent although i am bitter about being paid the same as other TAs who don't 'step up'. I have worked in education for 3 months and it was a huge career change. The epileptic seizures are still very scary to me!

(shocking that working for disney i was on ยฃ37k with no stress or responsibilities and now i am on ยฃ14k and in charge of vulnerable young adults! i love my new job but the pay doesn't seem moral!)

Hayao
(19 hours after post)
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Legally it sounds like they have put you in a very high-risk situation. If something were to happen, however minor, would you be protected? Or would the school take the fall?
While it's an awesome opportunity for you starting out, I'm afraid the risk may be too high. Suppose something were to happen and it affected your future ability getting the same or a similar job?

Dollypic
(1 day after post)
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twosocks wrote:
Legally it sounds like they have put you in a very high-risk situation. If something were to happen, however minor, would you be protected? Or would the school take the fall?
While it's an awesome opportunity for you starting out, I'm afraid the risk may be too high. Suppose something were to happen and it affected your future ability getting the same or a similar job?

The current normal staffing levels are a unqualified teacher (with both first aide and epilepsy training) me a permanent teaching assistant (epilepsy trained) and one agency staff member. I feel the kids are safe with us as the teacher is so amazing in all circumstances. It's when she is sick there's problems!
If somewhere were to happen and it was me 'in charge' it would be on my head first and the school secondarily.

Fingers crossed for no more staff shortages!!

Dollypic
(1 day after post)
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I feel a lot more positive today. I will keep records of how often I feel I am left in a unsafe position. I will also continue to speak up and ask for epilepsy trained staff even if they do not provide I am showing I know what the correct safeguarding rules are.

I also need to continue to work on my own anxiety in these other situations, the students smell my fear and know they can get away with anything sometimes!

Here's my little teachers Instagram which keeps me motivated and moving forward in such a rewarding challenging and interesting job :) https://www.instagram.com/leadlovelearn/

Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
(1 day after post)
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Also try to make a record that you reported any and all illegal activity. That may be hard but it is probably the most important thing especially if someone is seriously injured and they try to blame you.

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Dollypic
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DocteurRalph wrote:
Also try to make a record that you reported any and all illegal activity. That may be hard but it is probably the most important thing especially if someone is seriously injured and they try to blame you.

I don't know about legality especially as an academy not a traditional school. The fact most teachers are unqualified would be a legal issue in a traditional school! But yes I will be keeping more records thankyou

Me
(1 day after post)
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'I'm being asked to break rules... I was asked to take lead of a class yesterday which I agreed to, but I asked for help. Class of nine students but four of them have epilepsy. I asked for another epilepsy trained staff member to be with me.... And I was told - you have the phone.'

WHO has asked you to break the rules?
Is it a teacher not sticking to their professional boundaries?
Have you spoken to the Head about this?

Dollypic
(1 day after post)
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Silverset wrote:
'I'm being asked to break rules... I was asked to take lead of a class yesterday which I agreed to, but I asked for help. Class of nine students but four of them have epilepsy. I asked for another epilepsy trained staff member to be with me.... And I was told - you have the phone.'

WHO has asked you to break the rules?
Is it a teacher not sticking to their professional boundaries?
Have you spoken to the Head about this?

the head asked me to take the class with me and two agency staff

Sherlock by olga tereshenko d9qdidc
(1 week after post)
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If you have epileptics in your class, make sure there is a pillow you can put under their heads. Tell them that if they feel a seizure coming on, to lie on the floor. Get that pillow under their head--it prevents injury if they are banging their head on the floor. Don't try to restrain them.

There are meds now that are very effective in preventing seizures.

Dollypic
(1 week after post)
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Sherlock wrote:
If you have epileptics in your class, make sure there is a pillow you can put under their heads. Tell them that if they feel a seizure coming on, to lie on the floor. Get that pillow under their head--it prevents injury if they are banging their head on the floor. Don't try to restrain them.

There are meds now that are very effective in preventing seizures.

I am epilepsy trained. Due to the students communication difficulties, it is very difficult for them to tell us or them to know any warning signs!

I have found out the contact details of who to ask if i feel the students are in a dangerous low/ untrained staff - means over stepping the head teacher but i am perfectly happy to do that to keep the students in the class safe!

Had a lovely day today - keep doing my best :)

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