School staff have told of being subjected to violence on a daily basis and are demanding the council take action to protect them.
Support for learning staff and child development officers told of being kicked, spat on, had furniture thrown and dreading going to work.
Unison has started a campaign and a petition calling on the council to ensure there is enough staff in schools and adequate training to deal with pupils' complex needs.
The Glasgow Times has obtained several testimonies from staff, highlighting what they face when going to work.
Read next:
Plan to delay children in Scotland starting primary school until age 7
John Swinney launches SNP plan for sequel to the baby box
Teachers compensation payouts for violence in the classroom revealed
One child development officer, said: “I’ve been bitten, kicked, slapped. I’ve had my glasses knocked off my face twice just from being slapped across the face. I’ve also been pushed.
“There’s quite a lot that goes on. That can potentially happen on a daily basis, but other times maybe twice a week. It depends on what children are in on what day.”
The worker added: “We’ve had tables upended, things getting thrown across the room, glass jars have been thrown against walls and smashed, toys destroyed.”
They said they feel powerless when faced with a violent situation, adding: “We’re being told now not to say ‘no’ or ‘stop’ but just to monitor it, which isn’t the best situation because I feel that the children are allowed to do whatever they want without any consequences.
“We just have to contain the situation until the child calms down.”
Photos of injuries show bruises to arms and legs as a result of violent incidents.
The Glasgow Times previously reported on the number of violent incidents recorded against staff in the city.
It showed more than 6000 incidents in the last three years.
The attacks led to payouts worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Speaking about the impact on other children, the staff member said: “I think it’s quite difficult for them.
“Some of them have got used to the violence and when they see it happening, they know to move away, but with others you can actually see they’re quite frightened. You can see the fear on their faces the minute something starts.”
The member said: “I find come Sunday night, I’ve got knots in my stomach at the thought of going in on Monday morning and thinking ‘What am I walking into today?’”
The injuries can be serious with longer-term consequences.
Another, a support for learning worker, said: “Every day there’s someone getting hurt, kicked, spat on, bit, you name it.
“I had an injury a few years ago and that’s why I’m so passionate about getting something done about it. I had a torn meniscus and I had to get an operation on my leg.”
The petition calls for the council to “Ensure schools and early years establishments are properly staffed and resourced.”
And to “Guarantee protected learning time for all staff at all grades to ensure up to date training around complex need and increasing complexity of duties.”
Unison said when incidents are reported they are not resolved satisfactorily which they put down to a lack of resources.
Sylvia Haughney, Unison Glasgow city education convenor, said: “Unison members in Education across Glasgow City are facing daily unacceptable levels of violence at work.
“Staff are absorbing ever-worsening conditions, managing complex needs of pupils without adequate resourcing, staffing, or time to do our jobs safely.
“We do not go to work to be assaulted but violence continues to rise while we are ignored by the council.
“While policies and reporting mechanisms exist in the workplace, many staff cannot access these in practice. What members in the city chambers fail to understand is that chronic understaffing, and a lack of protected learning time leads to violent incidents going unreported, with staff unable access essential training.”
Glasgow City Council said Education Services is involved in a number of initiatives with the unions on tackling violence.
A spokesperson for the council, said: “We do not tolerate violence of any kind towards our employees, and the appropriate sanctions will always be taken.
“We will continue to work with our trade unions on this issue to introduce any new procedures which will help protect our staff and we are already involved in a range of initiatives across the trade unions.
"The safety of council employees is paramount, and our pupils must be aware that violence and aggression towards our school staff will not be tolerated."
Share