SEN child not responsible for their actions

atolaas

A new child has recently started in my DS's class. They have SEN and according to the school, due to their SEN are not responsible for their own actions. They have physically attacked my DS twice. Once punching him in the stomach and on another occasion slapping him on the side of the head. I saw the head slap as I was helping to supervise the children on a school trip. They are not to be suspended or reprimanded for their "inappropriate behaviour". They are in my opinion a walking safeguarding issue. The school are doing their best to ensure that the opportunities for lashing out at other students are kept to a minimum - my DS hasn't been the only child to be on the receiving end of this child's aggressive behaviour. As a parent, I feel complete helpless and unable to ensure my child's safety whilst he's at school. I have let the school know about this child's behaviour towards my DS. We are not allowed to refer to this child's behaviour as bullying because they are not responsible for their own actions. I have no justice for my child and I'm left feeling bitter and angry that this situation is being allowed to continue. Any constructive help or advice gratefully received!!

pollypenny

Neither your son or other children should suffer attacks like this.

Take it further. Firstly, ask other parents their experiences and then contact governors. Is it an LEA school? If so, contact education officers.

If the child is that bad, maybe this school is wrong for him. He must be subject to some discipline or what sort of adult will he be?

DoubleDoors

atolaas wrote: »

A new child has recently started in my DS's class. They have SEN and according to the school, due to their SEN are not responsible for their own actions. They have physically attacked my DS twice. Once punching him in the stomach and on another occasion slapping him on the side of the head. I saw the head slap as I was helping to supervise the children on a school trip. They are not to be suspended or reprimanded for their "inappropriate behaviour". They are in my opinion a walking safeguarding issue. The school are doing their best to ensure that the opportunities for lashing out at other students are kept to a minimum - my DS hasn't been the only child to be on the receiving end of this child's aggressive behaviour. As a parent, I feel complete helpless and unable to ensure my child's safety whilst he's at school. I have let the school know about this child's behaviour towards my DS. We are not allowed to refer to this child's behaviour as bullying because they are not responsible for their own actions. I have no justice for my child and I'm left feeling bitter and angry that this situation is being allowed to continue. Any constructive help or advice gratefully received!!

..and I'll bet you any money the little b*gger knows he won't be told off or disciplined. They might be 'disabled' but they're not daft.

You need to get together with the other parents and make it clear to the school that this situation is not going to be allowed to continue.

indesisiv

How is the child not responsible for their actions?
if the child instead of hitting people, decides to stab them, is there still not something that the school can do to stop this?

I would be getting everyone together that has been attacked / assaulted and getting on to the school. If the school cannot guarantee the safety of its pupils then it has an issue.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

Teach your son Martial Arts and say that he is entitled to act in self defence.

Pyxis

May I ask, what sort of special educational need would entitle a child to be allowed to lash out at others?

This is a genuine question, as I am a bit bewildered.

DoubleDoors

Pyxis wrote: »

May I ask, what sort of special educational need would entitle a child to be allowed to lash out at others?

This is a genuine question, as I am a bit bewildered.

The school probably won't give out details of his "special need", for fear of breaching confidentiality/data protection.

(Cynical old me!)

Pyxis

DoubleDoors wrote: »

The school probably won't give out details of his "special need", for fear of breaching confidentiality/data protection.

(Cynical old me!)

Oh dear!

How can anyone know how to deal with someone's needs, if they don't know what those needs are?

DavidF

I wouldn't have thought a school or indeed local education authority would be allowed to abdicate responsibility for the safety of one child over another. Obviously in this situation it seems that this is what they are in effect trying to get away with. I agree with the poster above who suggested grouping together with other victims parents and demanding some sort of action and assurances. Even if it means this other child needs constant supervision then if that is the only way to ensure safety of all.....Sticking them in a class and hoping for the best is not really going to ever work....but it may well be the cheapest option.
Complaints and concerns need to be directed at School head, School governors and then local authority. Personally I wouldn't let this rest.

[Deleted User]

I wouldnt accept that at all.

The school have a duty of safe caring your son aswell and if they cannot do that this child must go to a place where he can be controlled.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

We're literally just going through this! (I could have written that post!)

The child in our school though is under the MASH team so i have contacted them. I have also contacted the police as the child has marked mine. The MASH team told me to contact the council educational department which i have done and they are also contacting family services.

Our school are following their internal procedures and have given the child 1-to-1 teaching for now whilst they work out what the next step is. This isn't working though as when he does go near the other children (at home time for example) he is lashing out then.

Ask the school what their procedures are and literally go through them until you cant go any further.

Maybe raise it with the governors also?