School support staff hear abuse every day says union survey

Verbal abuse and violence are daily issues for one in three school staff in Yorkshire and Humberside, says UNISON.

More than one in three (35%) support staff witness verbal abuse in schools across Yorkshire and Humberside every day, according to a survey released by UNISON.

The report comes as official figures show the number of school suspensions has almost doubled since before the pandemic and the number of pupils permanently excluded has risen by nearly a third*.

One in three (34%) of school support workers in the region say they see pushing on a daily basis and a quarter (26%) report kicking and the throwing of objects as day-to-day issues.

Three-quarters (75%) of school support staff say they have witnessed violence at work in the past year.

The survey of almost 800 school workers in Yorkshire and Humberside – including teaching assistants, caterers and cleaners – paints a bleak picture of an underappreciated workforce facing daily abuse, yet still doing unpaid overtime and struggling to pay their bills.

Top of their concerns is the cost of heating and eating. More than seven in 10 (78%) say they are worried they won't have enough money to pay their energy bills, with a similar proportion (74%) concerned about food costs.

Two-thirds (69%) say they put in extra unpaid hours every week, but almost three in five (59%) say they don’t feel their school leaders value them. Almost half (49%) say they are looking for another job.

The findings show staff are seeing workloads rise, but support dwindle. Four fifths (81%) say their workload has increased over the past year and almost two-thirds (65%) say the number of support staff at their school has fallen in the last 12 months.

Staff speak of being regularly expected to perform additional duties, listing behaviour management, one-to-one support and looking after children with complex needs as the most common.

UNISON says extra support for pupils is essential to tackle the violence and abuse suffered by staff and to stop them from leaving the profession.

UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary Karen Loughlin said: "Nobody should face abuse or witness violence at work. Sadly, for a staggering number of support staff in schools in Yorkshire and Humberside that is their daily reality.

"Tackling bad behaviour in school requires funding and extra staff, but this survey shows the opposite has happened in recent years.

"The generosity and dedication of school support staff are to be applauded. But it is truly shocking that many are putting in extra unpaid hours and struggling to make ends meet. This can’t continue.

"The report identifies thousands of staff who are considering quitting the profession. But support staff are vital to the smooth running of schools and the experiences of pupils. Their pay and working environment should better reflect the invaluable help they provide.

"The government’s decision to reinstate the school support staff negotiating body will finally mean recognition for the vital contribution made by teaching assistants, school meals workers, technicians. Importantly it should lead to improved pay and conditions, backed up by increased funding for schools."