Violent language and behaviour is a growing concern for school staff, with school support staff increasingly citing violence as one of their top workplace concerns.
Violence at work includes any incident in which you are abused, threatened, or assaulted, either verbally or physically, while performing your duties.
UNISON research and findings
Our survey of school support staff members in November 2024 revealed that almost half of staff had personally experienced violent behaviour from a pupil within the last 12 months, with around a quarter experiencing punching, kicking, and throwing of objects on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, verbal abuse was a daily occurrence for a quarter of staff.
In 2022, UNISON partnered with the University of Roehampton to examine violence against support staff, since previous studies had focused on teachers and senior managers. Through in-depth interviews with teaching and pupil support assistants across England, Scotland, and Wales, the research revealed the extent of the problem:
- Staff reported physical injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to more serious harm, such as black eyes, broken fingers, and torn ligaments.
- Some reported receiving death threats from pupils.
- Psychological effects included stress, anxiety, and depression, with two workers being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Worryingly, many staff felt that their employers viewed managing pupil violence as simply part of their job. The normalisation of this violence sends a dangerous message about acceptable behaviour, with potential long-term consequences for society.
What can I do?
Firstly, it’s vital that you report all violent incidents, even if they seem minor. Your employer can use reporting to identify patterns and unsafe practices, leading to improved risk assessments and procedures, and preventing escalation.
Reporting violent incidents leaflet
Reporting violent incidents poster
However, if you experience violence at work, you should also contact your workplace health and safety rep or your branch for support.
If your workplace doesn’t have a health and safety rep, have you thought about stepping up? UNISON provides training and support so you won’t be on your own, and you’ll gain the skills you need to challenge dangerous working practices, including violence. Workplaces with a H&S rep are safer for everyone.
What is UNISON doing?
The 2022 report listed a set of recommendations for schools, and received good coverage in national press. The National Schools Committee used these recommendations to produce a specific model policy for schools in England for dealing with violence, given the unique environment members are working in.
The results of our 2024 survey were also well-publicised in the national press, raising public awareness of this issue. Our press statement called for extra funding and extra staff in schools to tackle violent behaviour, and we continue to lobby for this.
UNISON believe that it is unacceptable that so many workers are being subjected to violence simply for doing their jobs. Our End Violence at Work Campaign provides resources for workers to get employers to take violence against staff seriously.
And of course, UNISON health and safety reps are challenging unsafe working practices and supporting UNISON members in workplaces across the UK.