Public Servant Lifestyle

Increased violence and disruption in schools has led to new guidance to protect teaching staff.

Steps to tackle the problem have been issued, for the first time, by teachers union the NASUWT, in its annual diary which is sent to the homes of its members across the UK.

The guidance calls for a code of conduct in schools with a zero tolerance policy for those who break the rules – including exclusion for pupils who verbally abuse staff.

Parents who have been violent and disruptive should be banned from schools, says the NASUWT. Staff should be given training in avoiding and managing dangerous situations, with one trained member of the Senior Management Team on stand-by, in case an incident occurs.

A failure by schools to put in place adequate protection for teachers may lead to risk assessments for violent and disruptive pupils, and a refusal to teach those who pose a real danger, says the union.

"It is unacceptable that teachers should face violence at work," says NASUWT general secretary Eamonn O'Kane. "NASUWT guidance highlights options available to limit the threat. By including this in the diary, every member can carry round details of the steps necessary to protect themselves in school.

"Although the numbers of pupils excluded last year went up for the first time in the past six years, NASUWT remains concerned that governing bodies continue to readmit violent and disruptive pupils."

The guidance calls for:

- Headteachers to introduce a code of conduct for pupils, with exclusion for those who fail to follow the rules.

- A zero tolerance policy of verbal abuse, with exclusion as the penalty.

- Training for all staff in avoiding and managing violent and disruptive pupils.

- A trained member of Senior Management Team on stand-by, to intervene in violent and disruptive situations.

- A ban on violent and disruptive parents from school premises.

It advises teachers who suffer from violence and disruptive pupils to:

- Report all incidents of actual or threatened assault or criminal damage to the police.

- Report all incidents causing stress through reporting procedures in schools and the Department of Work and Pensions.

The guidance also sets out steps for NASUWT representatives to tackle schools failing to establish a safe working environment.

The NASUWT is one of the largest teachers' unions with over 200,000 members, and the only one to organise in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

NHS managers and staff deal are also being given new guidance to enable them to deal effectively with harassment from patients, ending the belief that it 'goes with the job'.

The information will be sent to all NHS employers, explaining the actions to be taken to both prevent and address harassment in the NHS workplace.

Zero Tolerance

The campaign builds on the successful NHS Zero Tolerance campaign, to tackle violence, and the Positively Diverse Programme , to address equality and diversity issues in NHS organisations.

Key aspects of the guidance include:

1: What staff should do if patients, clients or relatives harass.

2: The legal position.

3: Strategies for preventing harassment.

4: Counselling and support, for staff who have experienced harassment.

5: Racially-motivated complaints on staff.

6: Recording and monitoring harassment and performance management.

"Harassment is unfair, unwarranted and totally unacceptable," says health minister John Hutton. "It must be challenged at every stage. Staff must be fairly treated and supported and know that their complaints will be taken seriously by employers."

"The campaign will focus on the true cost of harassment. We are all aware that the effects of harassment can be high levels of sickness absence, low morale and deterioration in personal performance. Tackling harassment effectively will therefore help boost staff retention, job satisfaction and NHS performance."

More information available in Work Environment