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

Senior Social Worker/AMHP

Wakefield Council
Grade 10 - Grade 11, 37 hours, Permanent
Join Us as a Senior Social Worker – Make a Real Difference in Community Mental Health Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Graduate Ecologist

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£30,193 - £34,104 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Graduate Ecologist to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Fostering Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum pro rata
Are you an experienced Social Work professional with a passion for fostering and improving outcomes for children? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Children's Residential Short Breaks Worker

North Yorkshire Council
From £31,537 up to £34,434 per annum
Join Our Team – Make a Difference in a Child’s Life Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £25,185 - £25,989 pro rata
We have an exciting opportunity for a temporary part-time Clerical Officer/Receptionist to join our dedicated team within Business Services.   WHAT Stanley
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner