Cuts to school support staff could leave vulnerable children at risk

School support staff regularly go home worried about pupils’ welfare, safety and emotional state after discussing issues such as grooming, gangs, domestic violence, bullying, loneliness, and sexual abuse with them, according to a survey released by UNISON today (Friday). The research suggests that across the UK almost a quarter (24%) of school support staff involved in children’s welfare go home worried every day having spoken to pupils about the issues that trouble them both inside and outside of school. Almost nine in ten (86%) of support staff told UNISON they’d gone home worried about pupils after talking to them. Issues of concern can range from parents splitting up, family bereavement, self-harm, and sibling rivalry, to family members falling ill, the misuse of alcohol or drugs at home, and having a parent in prison. The survey, of more than 3,000 school support staff involved in children’s welfare (including teaching assistants, learning mentors and welfare officers) is released to coincide with stars in our schools day, UNISON’s annual celebration of non-teaching staff and the valuable work they do. Support staff responding to the survey said that they felt the contributions they made in school helped pupils to feel safer (83%), and supported their learning in the classroom (91%). Three in five (60%) also said they thought their work helped pupils feel less isolated, and two fifths (43%) that it improved their attendance. Their work with children also meant ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Press release stars in our schools survey Source Type: news