Results of Survey on Assaults

Croke ParkSaturday 8th December 2012

Deirbhile Nic CraithSenior Official

Consultation Process

Questionnaires to Principals (1,077)

– Total responses 552 (50%)– All Principals of Special Schools & High

Support Schools (11% of responses)– All Principals of Mainstream Schools

with Special Classes (28% of responses)– Random Selection of remaining schools

(61% of responses)

Consultation Process

Questionnaires to Teachers– Random selection of 1,000 teachers (3%)– 272 responsesProfile of respondents

27% (78% female & 22% male)82.5% mainstream12.5% mainstream with special class(es)5.5% special school

Guidelines

• One third of schools have guidelines re preventing assaults (33%)

• Almost one third have guidelines re dealing with assaults (31% PO & 31% T)

• Mostly developed at school level (92%)• Almost one in three teachers say guidelines

are not adequate (27%)• National Guidelines

96% re preventing assaults97% re dealing with assaults

Prevalence of assaults by pupils in last 5 years

Physical Verbal

No such incidences 58% 54%

One teacher 11% 6%

Two teachers 9% 10%

Three teachers 7% 8%

Four teachers 5% 5%

Five teachers 5% 7%

More than five 5% 12%

Trends

The risk of experiencing assault

Physical Verbal

PrincipalTeache

rPrincipal Teacher

Increased risk

42% 46% 57% 63%

Decreased risk

8% 5% 6% 5%

No change 50% 49% 37% 33%

Prevalence of Assaults

on Principals• 20% of principals experienced physical assault• 54% of principals experienced verbal assault

Physical Verbal

By teacher 1% 9%

By pupil 20% 23%

By parent 1% 41%

By SNA 1%

Prevalence of Assaults

on Teachers• 18% of teachers experienced physical

assault• 39% of teacher experienced verbal assault

Physical Verbal

By pupil 18% 22%

By teacher 4%

By SNA 1%

By parent 23%

Impact of assaults

Teacher Absences

Schools Teachers

Physical assault 9% 6%

Verbal assault 6% 1%

Medical Attention

Physical assault 14% 16%

Verbal assault 4%

Impact

• I have also had many sleepless night following verbal assaults from parents.

• While we haven’t been absent, we have been very upset for a time after each assault which would have affected the quality of teaching.

• Staff regularly put up with more than should be expected of anyone. (Special School)

Course of ActionCourse of action Satisfied

YES NO

Physical assault

71% 29%

Verbal assault 65% 35%

Reasons for Assaults

• Cultural / Societal

• Environmental

• Special Needs

Cultural / Societal

• Very young children have little concept of the word ‘no’ … very spoilt and feel they are in charge … (PO)

• Anti-public service propaganda in the media has brought about a huge increase in verbal assaults

• Because children have to be listened to teachers have lost their right to a good name

• Assumption that child is always right on behalf of parents is most upsetting

Environmental

• A few dysfunctional families can cause a huge amount of upset and fear in a community and create dangerous situations for school staff and for the other students

• it part of a routine of working in older classes in DEIS

Special Needs

• The term ‘assault’ is a very broad one and suggests intent which I am not comfortable with in the context of a special school like ours.

• Some children with ASD have difficulties with aggressive behaviour.

• We tend to see it as their inability to express themselves in a more appropriate manner rather than having intent to cause harm.

Professional Development & Training

• 12% of principals have received CPD

TeachersPhysical restraint techniques 5%Preventing assaults 5% Handling Challenging Behaviour 50%

Recommendations

• Training in conflict resolution would be a major step towards the prevention of assaults

• Building a really inclusive, accepting school climate focussed on abilities rather than deficits can do more to build harmony and decrease confrontation than any national directives will achieve

• Zero tolerance

Recommendations

• Mandatory entitlement to period of leave for any teacher assaulted at work

• A helpline would be as beneficial as training

• A culture of (mutual) respect helps.

Conclusion

• Thanks to all Principals and Teachers who completed questionnaires

• Additional analysis of findings.

• Comprehensive Report of findings

• Support the preparation of guidelines

Physical Restraint

• Used by 17% of schools (42% of special schools)

Prevalence of assaults by others

Physical Verbal

One teacher 2% 14%

Two teachers 1% 17%

Three teachers

9%

Four teachers 5%

Five teachers 5%

More than five

6%

Cultural / Societal

• Nationally, manners and respect not what it used to be!

• Infant children having a tantrum can sometimes lash out