Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi. Advice needed. I'm a 1-1 TA in a primary school. My class is year 1. We have a new headteacher and recently I told her I had autism. Two days later I was told I was being moved into FS1. I work part time and her reason was that it is disruptive to the class when I leave at midday. I've done the job for 7 years and this is the first I've heard that it is disruptive. I told her I didn't want to move as I find working with younger children very difficult. It's the imaginative play and lack of routine that I can't do. She then referred me to Occupational Health. After the appointment a report was sent to her with some recommendations. The next day she told me she was moving me into nursery! Which is even lower. I was so upset that I came home and self harmed. I don't know what to do. I'm dreading going back to work after the holidays. My anxiety is getting worse and I just feel lost. I used to love working with the children and now it's all gone.
I can understand why you would find this difficult. I have known people join a union when they have a difficult situation. Are you able to do this before you return to school so you can ask for advice?
Thank you so much for your advice. This has been really helpful.
I'm with Amerantin on this - join a union ASAP and in the meantime read up on a few things to educate yourself about your rights:
1 - learn about what "reasonable adjustments" an employer can be asked to make and request them - if it is working only with older children then ask for it under "reasonable adjustments" .
2 - ask for the edvidence that you were being disruptive.when you were leaving at mid-day. If there is none then it seems clear you are being selectively pushed to situations that are stressing you in order to make you leave. Keep all communication written (email or written) and make sure you have copies of it at home in case you need to sue them later.
3 - if your employer is avoiding giving you evidence or anything in writing then consult with an employment solicitor and see what you need to do - often it just takes a letter from them to the school to scare them into backing off, but if not it will make them have to work a hell of a lot harder to make you leave.
Don't let them push you out - you clearly love what you do so fight for it.
That would be what I would do in your situation anyway.
Good luck
Have you seen / read the OH report? Do you know exactly what the recommendations were?
If not, then my advice would be to request a copy of the report, the content of which may provide indications as to why they are moving you.
Another possibilty is that the new head teacher has come into the role with their own ideas on how to run the school.Is there any back story as to why there is a new headteacher? Were there problems with the previous one? Has the school come under criticism?
I'm not in a union unfortunately. But my 1st thought was have I been moved because of my autism diagnosis. I may be wrong but if I am it's the biggest example of the new head teacher announcing something at the wrong time.
Do you have a union rep you could discuss this with?
Given the timing this sounds like a rather obvious case of discrimination / retaliation against someone with a protected disability.