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Aim scheme ecce

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  • 06-02-2020 10:11pm
    #1
    Househunter7
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭


    Hi I’m looking for some advice. My son is in 2nd year of pre school. He is a very sociable bright 4 year old boy. With our consent he was assessed by ‘AIM’ last year due to him being harder to manage, according to the school. The type of behaviour he was displaying was hitting and pushing kids. He had never been in that type of environment before, socially or around too many kids?’AIM’ informed the school that he did not qualify for anything other than an offer some suggestions and therapies to help manage his behaviour. This was an extremely stressful time for myself and my husband as you can imagine regarding the development of our child. His behaviour improved massively after a few months of him settlI got in, getting used to other kids. Now after one whole year of including summer months of no issues with my son, the pre school is losing an ‘AIM’ allocated teacher due to a student who qualified for one leaving and suddenly my son has become a problem again. So much so that he has been Reassessed and qualified for the teacher. The school told myself and my husband of this news, when questioned about its timing and convenience and fully admitted that they are understaffed and need to keep the ‘AIM’ teacher. I feel like my child is being used as a scapegoat and a way for a preschool to access further means. Can anyone shed any light on this?? I don’t want it to be a case that he misses out on help he may benefit from, and to settle better in primary school.. however I think it’s extremely unfair of the pre school to use us in this manner and I fearful my son will be labelled..


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    #2
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,475 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    Who assessed him? Were you involved in that process


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    #3
    Househunter7
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭Househunter7


    byhookorbycrook wrote: »
    Who assessed him? Were you involved in that process

    Hi, appreciate the reply. the early years specialist who works in accordance with AIM and due to the fact we gave consent the year previous to have him assessed they did not need our consent again..


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    #4
    byhookorbycrook
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 12,475 Mod ✭✭✭✭byhookorbycrook


    I can only speak for primary schools , but a child would never be re-assessed without consulting with the parents and seeking their input .


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    #5
    Motherof123
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭Motherof123


    Househunter7 wrote: »
    Hi I’m looking for some advice. My son is in 2nd year of pre school. He is a very sociable bright 4 year old boy. With our consent he was assessed by ‘AIM’ last year due to him being harder to manage, according to the school. The type of behaviour he was displaying was hitting and pushing kids. He had never been in that type of environment before, socially or around too many kids?’AIM’ informed the school that he did not qualify for anything other than an offer some suggestions and therapies to help manage his behaviour. This was an extremely stressful time for myself and my husband as you can imagine regarding the development of our child. His behaviour improved massively after a few months of him settlI got in, getting used to other kids. Now after one whole year of including summer months of no issues with my son, the pre school is losing an ‘AIM’ allocated teacher due to a student who qualified for one leaving and suddenly my son has become a problem again. So much so that he has been Reassessed and qualified for the teacher. The school told myself and my husband of this news, when questioned about its timing and convenience and fully admitted that they are understaffed and need to keep the ‘AIM’ teacher. I feel like my child is being used as a scapegoat and a way for a preschool to access further means. Can anyone shed any light on this?? I don’t want it to be a case that he misses out on help he may benefit from, and to settle better in primary school.. however I think it’s extremely unfair of the pre school to use us in this manner and I fearful my son will be labelled..


    They should have informed you of the reassessment as it's booked 1-2 weeks in advance. And usually the parent meets the Aims psychologist after for a chat.


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    #6
    uccstudentmom
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭uccstudentmom


    Househunter7 wrote: »
    Hi I’m looking for some advice. My son is in 2nd year of pre school. He is a very sociable bright 4 year old boy. With our consent he was assessed by ‘AIM’ last year due to him being harder to manage, according to the school. The type of behaviour he was displaying was hitting and pushing kids. He had never been in that type of environment before, socially or around too many kids?’AIM’ informed the school that he did not qualify for anything other than an offer some suggestions and therapies to help manage his behaviour. This was an extremely stressful time for myself and my husband as you can imagine regarding the development of our child. His behaviour improved massively after a few months of him settlI got in, getting used to other kids. Now after one whole year of including summer months of no issues with my son, the pre school is losing an ‘AIM’ allocated teacher due to a student who qualified for one leaving and suddenly my son has become a problem again. So much so that he has been Reassessed and qualified for the teacher. The school told myself and my husband of this news, when questioned about its timing and convenience and fully admitted that they are understaffed and need to keep the ‘AIM’ teacher. I feel like my child is being used as a scapegoat and a way for a preschool to access further means. Can anyone shed any light on this?? I don’t want it to be a case that he misses out on help he may benefit from, and to settle better in primary school.. however I think it’s extremely unfair of the pre school to use us in this manner and I fearful my son will be labelled..


    I honestly don’t think your child is being used as a scapegoat. If your child requires an aims teacher that means he has been granted a level 7 which is 1 on 1 and quite hard to get. An aims teacher is not included in the numbers in a classroom. For example if there is 13 children in the room the preschool will need a teacher and assistant plus an aims support worker if there is a child with a SEN. The teacher ratio is 11:1, then the assistant will account for the 12th child and the aims support worker will only account for your child no one else. She has absolutely no responsibility for any other child and will usually only stay as long as your child is there and requires her.

    However if your child has been granted a level 4 this means he has no access to a support worker and it will only be the room leader working with him. AIM will give the room leader strategies to help your child thrive in the classroom but this means he has not been granted any funding or support in terms of an AIMS support worker.

    As regards to the school assessing your child without you being informed I have never heard of this being done and don’t think it is fair on you at all. As his parents you should be fully informed throughout his school journey and I’m so sorry this has happened to you.

    I would question the preschool on Monday and ask:

    What level has my child been allocated? 4 or 7?
    Can I see my child’s individual education plan as provided by aim?
    Do you think I need to attend my GP to get a referral for an educational psychologist for assessment.

    This can be a very difficult time and they are making it even more difficult for you by keeping you out of the loop and not explaining things clearly to you.

    Hope this helps x


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    #7
    Motherof123
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭Motherof123


    uccstudentmom wrote: »
    I honestly don’t think your child is being used as a scapegoat. If your child requires an aims teacher that means he has been granted a level 7 which is 1 on 1 and quite hard to get. An aims teacher is not included in the numbers in a classroom. For example if there is 13 children in the room the preschool will need a teacher and assistant plus an aims support worker if there is a child with a SEN. The teacher ratio is 11:1, then the assistant will account for the 12th child and the aims support worker will only account for your child no one else. She has absolutely no responsibility for any other child and will usually only stay as long as your child is there and requires her.

    However if your child has been granted a level 4 this means he has no access to a support worker and it will only be the room leader working with him. AIM will give the room leader strategies to help your child thrive in the classroom but this means he has not been granted any funding or support in terms of an AIMS support worker.

    As regards to the school assessing your child without you being informed I have never heard of this being done and don’t think it is fair on you at all. As his parents you should be fully informed throughout his school journey and I’m so sorry this has happened to you.

    I would question the preschool on Monday and ask:

    What level has my child been allocated? 4 or 7?
    Can I see my child’s individual education plan as provided by aim?
    Do you think I need to attend my GP to get a referral for an educational psychologist for assessment.

    This can be a very difficult time and they are making it even more difficult for you by keeping you out of the loop and not explaining things clearly to you.

    Hope this helps x

    Aims support in the room is not 1:1 it's supposed to be shared


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    #8
    uccstudentmom
    Registered Users Posts: 9 ✭uccstudentmom


    Motherof123 wrote: »
    Aims support in the room is not 1:1 it's supposed to be shared


    shared for level 4 (the room leader)

    1:1 for level 7 or if there are more children with additional needs in the room it would be 1:2, 1:3 etc. (aim support worker)


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    #9
    Motherof123
    Registered Users Posts: 152 ✭✭Motherof123


    uccstudentmom wrote: »
    shared for level 4 (the room leader)

    1:1 for level 7 or if there are more children with additional needs in the room it would be 1:2, 1:3 etc. (aim support worker)


    The award for level 7 I was told it's shared. They need to educate all the facilities using ecce nightmare trying to get it in a place that know nothing about it.


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    #10
    Sd2011
    Registered Users Posts: 14 ✭Sd2011


    AIM is an extra staff member in the room not a 1:1 the previously used SNA was but AIM is different. I would approach your child’s preschool and ask for evidence of reporting and observing your child’s behaviour. As this was a new assessment your consent would have been needed for it and last years would not have been applicable for this assessment. Huge alarm bells ringing here!


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    #11
    Ballydehop
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭Ballydehop


    Can I ask how did things work out after?



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    #12
    Househunter7
    Registered Users Posts: 5 ✭Househunter7


    Hi! Yes of course. We are a couple of years on and my son got the extra aim support and it didn’t make a bit of difference for primary school. He is doing well now, does require a bit of support in primary due to adhd diagnosis, I do think sometimes the preschool staff can detect early as they see so many kiddies. However if you’re in a similar situation you will know exactly what’s the right the to do as parent(I presume!) Hope you are doing ok. 🥰



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