A disabled girl caught in a row over the revised role of teaching assistants is being kept away from lessons by her worried parents.

Ryan James and Reann Jenkins want a written guarantee that seven-year-old Ashley will get the crucial support she needs in order to follow the curriculum.

Mr James said he wants proof the spina bifida sufferer “will not be treated any differently to the other children” in future, after vital care was temporarily withdrawn.

The 34-year-old dad of seven, from North Cornelly, said his confidence has been shaken by a phone call from Bridgend Council less than 24 hours before the new term began last week.

He was told that Ashley’s learning support assistant at Bryncethin Primary School would no longer be changing her catheter bag or regularly lifting her out of her chair to take part in lessons and prevent pressure sores.

Mr James was told that as a result, Ashley, who also has hydrocephalus, would not be able to rejoin classmates last Tuesday, September 3.

The problem stems from a long-standing row between unions and Bridgend Council over job evaluation, which has seen classroom helpers’ pay cut and their job descriptions revised.

A Unison spokesman said the wording of the job descriptions has caused discontent and confusion among a large number of staff.

“Unfortunately, clarification has still not been provided in much of the Job Family profile wording. Some managers and headteachers are still having difficulty in knowing how to instruct staff on what duties they should and shouldn’t be undertaking, post-September 2013,” he added.

Four other children were affected by the problems with teaching assistants last week, but Bridgend Council hastily put in place alternative arrangements.

The authority said parents of four of the children concerned were happy with the temporary measures.

However, Mr James, of Heol Degwm, who is a full-time carer for Ashley and his disabled son, said the offer of a health worker to change Ashley’s catheter once on one day and twice on the next did not address her full needs as she also has to be lifted out of her wheelchair regularly.

Following discussions between the council and Unison and union officials and members, the learning support assistants have now been told they are contractually obliged to carry out the work and have resumed their normal duties.

But Mr James is unhappy with the verbal assurance he has been given.

“I am not asking for the world before I let her in there. I am asking for some proof (that she will get the help she needs),” he said.

A Bridgend council spokesman said: “As soon as the council was informed of this issue, alternative arrangements were put in place to ensure that appropriate support and care would continue.

“At the same time, the council liaised with staff and unions and made arrangements for the learning support assistants to resume their duties in full.

“A total of five children were temporarily affected by the situation and the parents of four of the children confirmed that they were happy with the alternative arrangements while they were in place.”

The Unison spokesman said: “There have been a number of issues raised by staff members over the past year regarding what duties they will be able to undertake – and indeed what work staff will be paid to undertake – when the job evaluation grading system would be implemented.

“Large groups of staff are still currently uncertain about what duties their new roles entail and whether they are different from their duties undertaken prior to September 1, 2013.”