A teaching assistant has been found not guilty of “unnecessarily” feeding and grabbing a vulnerable, special needs child, by a professional standards committee. But the Education Workforce Council Wales panel found some of the other allegations against Alyson Ryall proved and found her guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.
As such she was given a reprimand. She will be able to work in schools but the reprimand will stay on her registration with the EWC for two years and be disclosed to employers. Mrs Ryall, who had worked at Greenway Primary School in Cardiff since 1998, faced a series of allegations, all of which she denied and not all of which were found proved by the EWC panel.
An investigation was launched after complaints about how Mrs Ryall dealt with the child she was working with one to one while helping him eat lunch in the canteen in June 2019. The seven year-old boy was vulnerable and while he had no specific diagnosis, he had various additional needs. Canteen staff complained to headteacher Nic Naish, who reviewed CCTV footage from the canteen and ordered an investigation. Mrs Ryall was suspended and the matter was reported to police, although they took no further action, the hearing was told. To get our free daily briefing on the biggest issues affecting the nation, Wales Matters here
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The teaching assistant maintained throughout that she was firm but caring with the child, referred to as Pupil A to protect his identity. denying all the allegations, she said she loved her job and was devastated to be suspended in 2019.
Announcing its decision on the last day of a five day hearing on June 16, the committee said Mrs Ryall had an otherwise unblemished career. Reading out the decision committee member Gill Jones said the teaching assistant had shown “poor judgement” but clearly loved her job and had worked well with Pupil A.
Mrs Ryall was alleged to have committed misconduct across at least four dates in June 2019 against Pupil A.
The allegations that in or around 14 June 2019, she:
- a) grabbed and/or held Pupil A’s left arm; and/or
- b) pushed down Pupil A’s left arm were found not proved.
The allegations that or around 17 June 2019, she:
- a) prodded Pupil A with your foot; and/or
- b) held and/or held down Pupil A’s right arm were found proved.
The allegations that on or around 20 June 2019, she:
- a) grabbed Pupil A by his left arm; and/or
- b) roughly re-adjusted Pupil A in his seat were found proved
The allegation that on or around 21 June 2019, she:
- a) grabbed and/or pulled Pupil A by his right arm was found not proved but it was found proved that on the same date, on or around June 21 2019, she had roughly re-adjusted Pupil A in his seat on approximately two occasions
The allegation that on an unknown date in or around June 2019, she pulled Pupil A from behind by his clothing, was found not proved.
It was found proved that by reasons 2a, 31, 3b and 4b she made unnecessary and/or inappropriate physical contact with Pupil A. The allegation that on one or more occasions between 7 June 2019 and 21 June 2019, she:
- a) unnecessarily fed Pupil A; and/or
- b) rushed and/or pressured Pupil A whilst feeding him, were found not proved.
The committee dound that the facts of allegations 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 3b amounted to unacceptable professional conduct, meaning “conduct which falls short of the standard expected of a registered person” when considered individually; and/or together.
The panel said should Mrs Ryall seek to work in a school again she would make a positive contribution. But given the findings it imposed a reprimand which will stay on her file for two years and be disclosed to an employer, should she seek to return to work in a school.
Mrs Ryall has the right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days.
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