Special needs child not recivin enough help from teacher?

Question

here goes,im a walfare assistant to a 5 year old boy with Downs,he recives my help 25 hours aweek to support him in school. I understood that my job would be to SUPPORT him,but its more like the class teachers have totally swept their hands of him. They dont try to sign or make any adaptions to help him,despite being meant to.

They have done no courses and lost the infomation they were given,it wood take me ages to explain eveything,but i feel both he and i are being let down,even the senco doesnt help,,,any advice,,,,b4 i quit?????

Answer 1

That is a very thorny legal issue.  There have been many lawsuits in the area of special education in regards to a child getting proper services.  I would suggest to the parent that they contact an advocacy group who specializes in helping people of all ages with special needs.  There are organizations such as this all over the country.  Although you care for the child, it is the parents' responsibility to help the child.  The link below is for a national advocacy group.  I hope it helps.

Answer 2

Based on the language, I'm assuming this woman is based in the UK.  

You've pinpointed a problem which the SENCO should be addressing - as this child has 25 hrs ta, I'm assuming this child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs because no school is going to stick their hand in their pocket & stump up that much.  The Statement will have outlined measures the school should take including making the teachers aware of the child's needs, it should also have covered scaling back work to suit him & adjusting targets - the SENCO should have made the class teacher aware of this.  I think you need to speak to the SENCO again & raise your concerns.  If you think it's necessary for your development as a teaching assistant & would be beneficial to the child, you should discuss what courses & workshops you could attend with the SENCO.  

At the Annual Review you might also have the opportunity to raise the issues or you could speak to the Special Educational Needs section at the Local Authority & raise your concerns.  

The thing is, if the child is Statemented with a teaching assistant, the teachers probably think that's the solution to the problem - most schools do think that way, once they've got the one to one support, problem solved, no further effort is needed on their part.  It's down to the Headteacher/SENCO to arrange some sort of awareness workshop/seminar.

If you really wanted to stick the knife in, you could speak directly to his parent/guardian.

Answer 3

Parent needs to write to district sped director requesting 'prior written notice' on WHY the teachers are REFUSING to follow the child IEP plan and violating FEDERAL IDEA law.

Parent also needs to file a formal state complaint for this.

There are so many legal violations here it aint' even funny.

Answer 4

I would advise you to advise the family to set up a IEP meeting to address any areas of concern that are not currently being met with under his current IEP.  Unfortunately, many of our schools are understaffed, underfunded, and receive minimal parental support.  Are you in communication with the child's parents?  Is the child profoundly deaf due to the DOWNS or would he benefit from the use of a hearing aid?  Many downs children don't have to rely on sign to support their communication attempts.  It sounds like your in a situation where the parents really need to be stepping up and ADVOCATING for their child.

Answer 5

Speak to someone at www.ofsted.gov.uk or contact local education authority and ask to speak to area SENCO or head of SEN. Explain your situation and they should be able to advise you.

Sad thing is that if u leave this poor little boy will be forgotten! Its a horrible position you've been put in.