Mark Whitehead 04 September 2018

School support staff warn of 'intolerable workloads'

Cuts in funding are having a 'devastating effect' on school support staff, according to trade union Unison.

It says a survey shows spending cuts, staff restructuring and 'rocketing stress levels' are becoming the norm in UK schools.

In the report, Lessons in Austerity, almost nine in ten of the staff said cutbacks in their schools have had a noticeable effect.

More than 70% said they were carrying out duties that should be performed by someone at a higher level, and 35% that they were doing tasks without sufficient training.

More than four in five said they had experienced stress as a result of their workload in the past five years, while one in five needed to take time off sick as a result.

The union's head of education Jon Richards said: 'School support staff who haven’t already lost their jobs are buckling under intolerable workloads and mounting stress levels.

'They play a vital role in keeping children safe and schools running smoothly, they shouldn’t be seen as surplus to requirements when money is tight.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£36,734 to £39,278
We are looking for Social Workers who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who are passionate about promoting independence and who share the vision of ‘Home First’ and reablement, to ensure people have choice and control over their own lives Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Transport Strategy & Road Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
We have a unique opportunity for you to shape, influence and create a better future for Warwickshire Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Development Engineer

London Borough of Bexley
£34,476 - £39,777 per annum
The team requires someone who can inspect, measure and monitor highway works Bexley (London Borough), London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Bexley

Highway Asset and Development Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N Scp 50 £59,031 to Scp 53 £62,076, plus car allowance
To be responsible for leading, developing and delivering an effective, efficient and safe Highway Asset Management Service Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Bridge Engineer

Somerset Council
£34,834 to £39,186
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. Taunton
Recuriter: Somerset Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.