Education Sector-gross misconduct or PC fascism?
Asked by doidabel
I work as a Teacher Assistant in a South London state school and I was several times bruised and cut in the process of restraining children with autism and/or severe behavioural problems who were being a danger to themselves as well as to their class. I was not given proper skills in this area or was I hired to deal with Special Education Needs. In more than one year at the service of this school, I have always managed challenging behaviours with professionalism and, not even in self defence, have I ever hurt a child in anyway. Last Friday, after a particularly stressful week, I lost my temper. I was suspended from work after swearing three times (the “f”word) to a child who was being increasingly disruptive and threatening. I’m not a member of any union and I will have to defend myself in front of a board of Governors in about 10 days. I am a popular member of staff but the headteacher, whom I have challenged in the past, is hostile. Any advice?

Best Answer:
Wow. Tricky situation. I feel for you. Are you able to find out about previous similar incidents at the school at what happened to the people involved? Or other schools, to work out what the precedent is in these cases. I wonder if the Citizen's advice bureau might be able to offer some advice? Your point that you haven't been trained to deal with situations is a good one. At the end of the day, you only swore, no one got hurt. Sounds as if this is the first time you've been involved in anything like this, and, if you've put up with all the knocks and bangs from before you must be pretty devoted to the job. I hope they'll be lenient. Good luck.