And I'm dead...

[fireheart]

I had a very, very difficult situation this morning.

Taking a group of kids to the gym this morning, we were playing games. Two of the boys refused to cooperate. I sent one of them back, but the other refused to return. He then bolted. I couldn't catch both the kid and watch the other kids at the same time. So I stupidly sent 3 of the older kids after him to help coax him in.

Short version, kid wound up being restrained by the others (not dangerously, just holding onto his arms/jacket). I could not keep him in the gym either and it nearly culminated with him climbing the fence.

In the end, I had to get the director involved. Now I feel horrible about it, because in hindsight, I should've asked earlier instead of trying to solve it myself. I also caused a massive duty of care screwup with the four that were involved. I couldn't leave the 7-8 others in my care behind either.

Now I'm not even sure if I have a job

[bhskittykatt]

Sounds like you were stuck between a rock and a hard place on that one. Here's hoping for a positive outcome to all this.

[fireheart]

Well, post-incident, the kid apologised. I'm just waiting for MY lecture.

[Pixilated]

Sounds like you were stuck between a rock and a hard place on that one. Here's hoping for a positive outcome to all this.

Agreed. I suspect a lecture will be all you get, especially if you tell them that upon reflection you would have handled it instead by doing [whatever]. (To be honest, I have no idea what I'd have done in the same situation ... probably much the same as you did.)

[KatherineB]

I would be proactive about that, track down boss and begin with "I'm really sorry about what happened. I couldn't think what to do at the time. Could you please give me some tips in case it happens again?"

Bet that gets you out of your lecture. *g*

[fireheart]

I'll talk to him tomorrow about it. Today was INCREDIBLY chaotic and ironically, giving me the quieter period actually backfired.

And I still have four more days of this....

[fireheart]

Ok, so it looks like I managed to escape the lecture for now.
I ended up talking it over with one of the other more senior staff and she admitted that she had been in a similar situation herself, except with another child. She had actually chased after the kid though, instead of sending the older kids to do so. And yes, she has a job there.
The kid who I dealt with now loves me (he was telling me the other day how he'd had a visit from a social worker and she had given him a pop top)

I also talked it over with the other coordinator on site. She also recommended that I look into taking shifts at another school every now and then as well to prevent burnout. I am going to do so starting next term.

[csquared]

A strong offense is the best defense. Not sure how it applies here, but is sounds good!

Actually it does apply.
Think over what happened and make a list of the things you think are mistakes. Next, come up with what you think would have been a better course of action. Present that to him asking for his feedback/input/recommendations.

In short, show him how you are going to learn from this.

Good luck!

[Zellie Crescent]

I can't remember if you were one of the ones that commented on my situation that happened around Christmas, but if I was safe in that nightmare situation I highly doubt you'll lose your job.

[fireheart]

Think over what happened and make a list of the things you think are mistakes. Next, come up with what you think would have been a better course of action. Present that to him asking for his feedback/input/recommendations.

That's roughly what I'm planning on doing.

See, we have this journal at work that the kids, parents and staff are meant to write in EVERY shift. It'll be activities or instances where we see the main curriculum guidelines being followed.

I'm thinking of setting up my OWN journal in a similar format and looking towards setting a goal each shift, kind of like how I did it on my prac. For instance, my goals next week are going to be:

-Learn and remember the names of 5 kids who's names I don't know yet.
-Get through the excursion safely.
-Implement an activity successfully.

(1 goal per shift)

[dalesys]

(1 goal per shift)

Tuesday: Bring back just as many kids from the field trip as we took.
Wednesday: This time, bring back the same kids. The other school was irate.

[AccountingDrone]

Tuesday: Bring back just as many kids from the field trip as we took.
Wednesday: This time, bring back the same kids. The other school was irate.

ROFLMAO

[dalesys]

Thursday: Several parents want their Tuesday child back, as they were much better than the original.

Amina, could you check on AccountingDrone? I'm afraid I broke her.

[fireheart]

Thursday: Several parents want their Tuesday child back, as they were much better than the original.

Amina, could you check on AccountingDrone? I'm afraid I broke her.

Dammit dalesys!

I did a bit of checking today as well. See, some of the sites my company are contracted to work at do not have enough children to warrant needing so many staff,so generally they just have the boss person on site. I stumbled across the manual for running said sites today and they pretty much allow for the situation I described in the OP.

Luckily on the excursion day, I will have 8 kids I need to look after instead of 15. (We have extra staff for excursions)

[AccountingDrone]

Thursday: Several parents want their Tuesday child back, as they were much better than the original.

Amina, could you check on AccountingDrone? I'm afraid I broke her.

Not broken, just highly amused

I love museums and have been hit by child bombs as busses unload and try to organize and am always wistful about Mrs Basil E Frankwiler's files