What would you do? Job Related....

[northepaul]

Hiya all,
Dont know if you remember earlier in the year, I was sh*t on rather badly at work regarding a promotion into a better job?

I have kind of swaped jobs and now look after a boy with special needs at lunchtime, which I really enjoy doing. I get on very well with him (he has downs) and enjoy helping him socialise in the playground aswell as making sure he eats etc.

I can honestly say its the first time I have really enjoyed a job at the school and actually look forward to going to work etc.

When he was away, I looked after another little boy, who has behavioural and medical probs. However because of the nature of his illness, he doesnt get funding so doesnt have anyone to help him at lunchtime. He was a complete nightmare to put it mildy!

Now I am told they have changed my job, so I have to look after BOTH boys at lunchtime!! This is completely impossible! I spend the whole time trying not to be bitten (among other things) by the second boy, whilst the one I am actually sposed to look after fell over and has a swollen hand!!

What should I do? My contract finishes in July next year (when the one I am actually funded to look after goes to middle school). I dont want to not look after the second boy, but I cant look after him AND the first one properly!

Any constructive advice considered!

[Aberdeenplotter]

You clearly don't want to hazard your job but you do mention a contract. Does that provide for looking after more than one child? On a different tack, your employer has a duty of care towards you. If you are in danger of being injured(bitten) because you are unable to defend yourself properly whilst also looking after another child, then they must find themselves on pretty thin ice. Have a word with your line manager and if that doesn't resolve the situation, ask to escalate the matter to a higher authority.

[its hilly]

Because your employers have given you two children to care for who are unequal in their needs it has resulted in one of them being hurt!
I think if you talk to whoever put you in this position in that light (ie. you are endangering my charge) and say how unhappy this has made you, would it work?
As AP says they are on thin ice, as they owe a duty of care to BOTH staff and children and are obviously not fulfilling this in either respect.
And because of health risks such as hepatitis and aids, biting is serious (although I appreciate the second boy is probably incapable of understanding this or helping his behaviour)
Good luck

[Two_Sheds]

Now I am told they have changed my job, so I have to look after BOTH boys at lunchtime!! This is completely impossible!

This has happened to one of our LSAs too ~ she can't cope and I can see her leaving for something less stressful.

We now have 7 children (all boys) who are complete nightmares, behaviourally. Fighting, kicking, running away etc. They should have one-to-one assistants, but because of cut-backs to school budgets they have nobody. The remaining staff are having to give up their breaks & lunches to sort fights out every day. It's beginning to get people down: we won't exclude or send home unless as a very last resort, but I think it will come to that. So then we'll have these unruly children out on the streets instead of in a classroom ...