General Chat

KittytheLearnerCook - my thoughts entirely.

Thanks to everyone who posted. It was intresting to read different views.

Obviously i can't go into details about my situation at work due to confidentiality. But the reason this whole situation came about is because some proffessional suggested to the parents ,as their child has "severe and complex needs", it would benefit them to have staff reffered to by their first name. the child in question is non-communicative!

And there I rest my case.

Florence
in the hebrides :-(

I understand completely Florence.................*sighs and shakes head sadly* <3 <3

Thankyou kitty :-) <3

I just thought i would update you with what I have found out today that i didnt know before.

If a child with complex needs has a CSP(Child Support Plan) which has been drawn up by the local authority, this is a legal document and everything in it has to be adhered to otherwise the parents can take the authority to tribunal for not following the plan.

So it would appear that we do have to comply with the parents request re first names as that is stated in the CSP.

Well we learn something everyday dont we?

Florence
in the hebrides.

Usual situation then. Those not involved who do nothing constructive, but earn big money and attend meetings all the time, decide what others should do in a field they've probably studied in theory (if you're lucky) but never actually been on the 'front line' . :-(

Do you mean a Co-Ordinated Support plan? This is a Scottish Educational document that everyone involved has to agree upon, including the school and partner agencies.

Chances are, they are working from a draft but even a final CSP can be reviewed at any time. Can you not voice your concerns to the head?

Rose

If you have to be addressed by your first name I suggest changing it for the said child, and keep your own name for your friends and family.

Thankyou ladies for your comments.
The CSP was drawn up last year,and due to some staffing changes we were not aware of this request re names. So now it has been brought to our attention, we must conform otherwise we will be in seious trouble. The parents could if they wish act now as this new regime should have started last August, unbeknown to me and others!
Janet, it's not a draft but an actual plan and it's the head having been made aware who is now breathing down our necks to get it right or else.

maggie, you are so right! Most couldn't even do our job on the front line. All they are good for are as you said, dishing out orders and working on theories. They dont work in real life situations like we do.

Unfortunately, can't change my name as the said child has been use to it for such a long time and I dont think it would work. There are a lot of staff and we all changed our names it would really be confusing for everyone.

of course, one can argue here, that if a child has such severe and complex needs, then why aren.they in a special school or an educational setting that is suited to their needs? well because the parents have a choice and they have chosen mainstream. They seem to know every right they have and all that they are entitiled to and that includes choice, even if some professionals think it not the right choice, we cannot go against them.

Florence
in the hebrides

So there is nothing you can do :-|

As the child is non-communicative (**selective mutism?) one would have thought that the generic Miss or Sir would have been easier to pronounce when they did decide to speak.
Added - and they wouldn't have to worry about pronunciation or remembering the staff members name

Even though the parents have opted for main stream, unless the child can overcome at least some of their problems, one would have thought that a dedicated unit or SEN school would be more appropriate. However, if that meant going off -island, one can understand the parents reluctance to board out a primary school aged child. Is the EA support for main stream schooling all down to money???

** before anyone starts to criticise the term, that is the phrase most often used by professionals. An under-5 year old known to one of our offspring has this condition. She chats away to the family dog, but refuses to verbalise to anyone else, including her parents.

My late father-in-law was a university professor.

I can't imagine any of his students being brave enough to call him by his first name.

:-0

Scozz, when I was at Uni, (14 years ago) all lecturers were known by their first names. If we got an official not to take something to Professor X or Y, I didn't know who they meant!!
(Though I did now who Dr (Shirley) Firth was - Colin's mum)

Have to admit to using my proper name (Margaret) to someone who I'm not too keen on, and Maggie/Mags if I like them. Also works if someone pees me off.
This means people at work who receive e-mails from me are forewarned - if I signed off 'Mags' in the last e-mail and 'Margaret' in the follow-up - I'm not too happy!!

If I was in Florence's position, children would have to use 'Margaret' - and spell it correctly.

DET, it's not "selective mutism" but a result of a very premature birth with many complicated problems." We" can make sounds of a sort and show angry by growling but that's it. No-one knows whether they will speak sometime in the future or not!

Re a special unit, can't say where, but there is provision here but as i said a choice has been made. It's really all to do with "inclusion"

many years ago, less able children shall we say were placed in"special classes or even schools" but now wherever possible that is avoided and only used as a last resort.

one can still argue about whether some have the best interests of a child at heart but it would seem that we are not to question but get on with the job we have been given to do.

So I wont comment any further on this matter as it seems we have got to the bottom of it and now know where we stand.

thanks to everyone for your interesting replies, particularly those who work in a similar setting to myself. It's good to exchange views from other areas in the uk.

Florence
in the hebrides

Poor child..................I hope your school can help them :-(

Like Kitty, I do hope that you are able to provide the appropriate education for the child. <3

I still don't understand what value there is for you all to be known by your first names. Inclusive means being treated the same as everyone else whilst taking into consideration physical limitations and cognitive ability. As everyone else has until now used title + surname, then that should have stayed as the default.

Still - nothing can be done as the powers to be have decided otherwise.