School staff in Glasgow warn of violence crisis in the classroom

They're writing to the leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken, and the leaders of all the city's major political parties.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 29th Nov 2024

School support workers across Glasgow are becoming more fearful of going into work because of a barrage of physical and verbal abuse from pupils.

They're writing to the leader of Glasgow City Council, Susan Aitken, and the leaders of all the city's major political parties demanding more help for workers who are attacked.

Staff needing hospital treatment

John Slaven from GMB Scotland told Clyde 1: "We had a support assistant whose nose was bust open and after she had received hospital treatment, she was asked to return to work that afternoon.

"There was another time when an escort taking a child home from school was physically attacked for over ten minutes.

"Management were not supportive of her when she asked to be relived and go home."

Demand for change

Trade unionists are also claiming workers in residential care homes across Glasgow are also facing a barrage of abuse.

They going to be handing in the letters to the City Chambers later today.

John added: "We need Susan Aitken to sit down with us, listen to the staff and accept there is a normalisation of violence and a blame culture.

"All of this is a direct result of a decade of austerity and cuts."

A council spokeswoman said: “Verbal or physical abuse of our staff in any form is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

“We actively encourage staff to report incidents so that they can be dealt with in the appropriate way.

“Promoting positive behaviour training and health and safety management courses are offered to staff to raise awareness of the importance of accurate reporting and giving practical advice on dealing with situations.

“Our officers meet regularly with trade union colleagues where this topic is always an agenda item.”

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