William Eichler 29 November 2024

UNISON: School support staff face daily abuse

UNISON: School support staff face daily abuse image
Image: Colin Burdett / Shutterstock.com.

School support staff are subjected to verbal abuse and violence on a daily basis, a new survey has revealed.

The UK-wide survey of almost 8,000 school workers – including teaching assistants, caterers and cleaners – found that 35% of respondents witness verbal abuse at work every day.

The survey, which was published by UNISON, also found that 34% see pushing on a daily basis and a quarter (26%) report kicking and the throwing of objects as day-to-day issues.

Almost two-thirds (64%) of school support staff say they have witnessed violence at work in the past year.

Half a century in the chamber image

Half a century in the chamber

Cllr Dr James Walsh was elected to Arun District Council in 1975. Here he tells LocalGov what he's learned about trust, transformation and keeping it local.
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