View Full Version : How honest should we be with ofsted
Fitrix
13-04-2017, 01:19 PM
We are due an inspection soon. One little boy in our setting is possibly on the spectrum - he exhibits various behaviours we recognise as red flags. Obviously we are not placed to make a diagnosis and wouldn't but the inspector is bound to notice and comment. How candid can we be? It's one of those difficult scenarios where it's really a waiting game but we also don't want to break confidentiality etc. Appreciate any advice!
loocyloo
13-04-2017, 01:59 PM
We are due an inspection soon. One little boy in our setting is possibly on the spectrum - he exhibits various behaviours we recognise as red flags. Obviously we are not placed to make a diagnosis and wouldn't but the inspector is bound to notice and comment. How candid can we be? It's one of those difficult scenarios where it's really a waiting game but we also don't want to break confidentiality etc. Appreciate any advice!
Have you shared your thoughts with any other professionals? Can you start off the process /talk to parents about it? Then you can tell ofsted what you are doing, or that you are still collecting observations to assist you in talking to parents/other professionals. They will want to know what you are doing to help the child and family.
Fitrix
13-04-2017, 05:38 PM
No haven't shared with anyone. Mum is a teacher and very aware of red flags in other kids but seems to be a bit in denial. She's clearly teaching him all sorts of coping mechanisms and we discuss his 'behaviours' but skirt around the A word!! So it's one of those cases where we cannot say anything until mum recognises and faces the possibility of her son being on the spectrum. So my question still stands - to what degree can we share our thoughts/opinions with ofsted? And will we be penalised for NOT pushing for a diagnosis?! Bearing in mind the child is only 3 and most diagnosis are not made until year 1 of primary school.
Fitrix
13-04-2017, 05:40 PM
Collecting thoughts and observations in order to share when the time/opportunity arises is a good idea though. We could say that's what we're doing?! Thanks. 👍
Has he had his two year check?
loocyloo
14-04-2017, 06:31 AM
Has he had his two year check?
A child I know has been showing signs of being on the spectrum since he was about 12 mths old. Alot of family and friends were concerned ( mum insisted 'typical only child' ) and I know that one of them mentioned their concern to the health visitor. Then at 2 yr check HV picked up on a couple of points that she could see and started to work with mum on 'strategies' and also started referral process. Mum now has support in place for her and the child.
I would share my thoughts/concerns with ofsted. Say you are collecting 'evidence' and supporting/guiding mum towards investigating further. Do you have a senco you can talk to? Naming no names? Ours can offer advice/suggestions.
Good luck.
Fitrix
14-04-2017, 07:15 AM
Has he had his two year check?
Mum specifically asked us not to write up a two year progress check!!!
No we haven't spoken to a SENCO. We've had a few kids we have helped through the process over the years both steering parents in the right direction and being involved with health visitors and other child therapists etc to get a child the help they need so we're not worried about any of that. Just don't want to breach confidentiality by sharing info with an ofsted inspector before anything official is in place for this child.
loocyloo
14-04-2017, 08:06 AM
Mum specifically asked us not to write up a two year progress check!!!
No we haven't spoken to a SENCO. We've had a few kids we have helped through the process over the years both steering parents in the right direction and being involved with health visitors and other child therapists etc to get a child the help they need so we're not worried about any of that. Just don't want to breach confidentiality by sharing info with an ofsted inspector before anything official is in place for this child.
Mum can't say that. As child attended childcare between the age of 2 and 3, you are legally bound to do a 2 yr check, put one in your file for this child and give her a copy. It is up to mum what she does with it.
The HV should have asked but I know many don't ask if child attends a setting or if parent has a check to share!
Mum specifically asked us not to write up a two year progress check!!!
No we haven't spoken to a SENCO. We've had a few kids we have helped through the process over the years both steering parents in the right direction and being involved with health visitors and other child therapists etc to get a child the help they need so we're not worried about any of that. Just don't want to breach confidentiality by sharing info with an ofsted inspector before anything official is in place for this child.
Did she take the child for his two year check with the HV? I wonder if they picked anything up.
Fitrix
14-04-2017, 08:48 AM
Did she take the child for his two year check with the HV? I wonder if they picked anything up.
She did and no I don't believe anything was picked up /said. Like I say he has great coping mechanisms - she has worked hard to ensure his manners /greetings are impeccable. His red flags are mostly obvious when he interacts with other children which of course wouldn't have been viewable. To be honest his signs are so mild it's only that we know our stuff that we are aware.
Didn't know we had to do a 2 year check regardless so will get that done!!
Mouse
14-04-2017, 10:05 AM
Do your observations, tracking and planning clearly identify where you have spotted issues and what you are doing to address them? There are subtle ways of getting the message across without being obvious. If interaction with other children isn't quite as advanced as it should be you can pian activities around that. That would show an ofsted inspector that you have identified possible issues, have planned for them and have shared information with parents, however you do that.
It's not really a case of confidentiality as all you're doing is sharing your observations with Ofsted the same as you would with any other child. What they will want to see is that you have noted slower progress in some areas and that you're working on that.
Fitrix
14-04-2017, 10:28 AM
Do your observations, tracking and planning clearly identify where you have spotted issues and what you are doing to address them? There are subtle ways of getting the message across without being obvious. If interaction with other children isn't quite as advanced as it should be you can pian activities around that. That would show an ofsted inspector that you have identified possible issues, have planned for them and have shared information with parents, however you do that.
It's not really a case of confidentiality as all you're doing is sharing your observations with Ofsted the same as you would with any other child. What they will want to see is that you have noted slower progress in some areas and that you're working on that.
Great advice. Many thanks for all your help in clarifying for me. Will definitely identify issues and think about planning more. Cheers everyone!!
hectors house
19-04-2017, 01:01 PM
Maybe do an ECAT form and that should highlight the "social communication" problems he has when playing with other children and you can then use that document to show the mum that you think he is struggling with some social etiquette - you could ask the mum if you could have a chat with the Health Visitor for advice. It is very hard when you aren't supposed to discuss the child with a SENCo or other professional unless mum gives her consent - some settings get the parents to sign a form when the child starts, giving blanket permission for childminder to discuss child's progress if needed.