A summit organised by the Scottish Government on Wednesday revealed a disturbing increase in misogynistic abuse and physical attacks targeting teachers in Scottish schools. The emergency meeting, chaired by Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, brought together teachers, unions, parents, and child experts to address the escalating violence.

During the summit, shocking accounts of assaults were shared, shedding light on the alarming incidents occurring within classrooms across Scotland. Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland officer, relayed the experiences of their members, which ranged from being pelted with rocks to suffering physical assaults while attempting to break up fights, as well as enduring misogynistic abuse. The summit served as a platform for educators to voice their concerns and seek government action to protect teachers and students from the violence and abusive behaviour of a small but disruptive segment of young individuals.

The focus of the summit was to explore interventions and strategies that the Scottish Government can implement to tackle the growing epidemic of youth violence by addressing behavioural issues and fostering healthy relationships. The first phase of the meeting, held the previous month, concentrated on the reporting and monitoring of incidents within classrooms.

Startling statistics revealed that violence incidents in primary schools surged to nearly 11,000 in the academic year 2021/22, marking a 56% increase compared to the previous year—a trend that coincided with the onset of the pandemic. In secondary schools, reports of violent incidents rose from 1,544 in 2020/21 to 2,951 in the following year, indicating another significant escalation.

A survey conducted by the GMB shed further light on the dire situation, with one in six support staff admitting to experiencing violence on a daily basis in Scottish schools. Additionally, one in three support staff revealed being subjected to attacks on a weekly basis, with incidents ranging from physical assault to being punched, kicked, and spat on.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts between teachers, children’s organisations, parents, and stakeholders within the education sector to develop effective solutions for improving behaviour and ensuring safer school environments. The constructive input provided by all participants was acknowledged and appreciated in the pursuit of addressing this pressing issue.

The summit served as a platform to raise awareness of the escalating violence within Scottish schools and to urge decisive action to protect teachers, promote a respectful learning environment, and safeguard the well-being of students and staff members alike.

Carol Smith, a care assistant employed by HCOne Limited at Greenfield Park Care Home, has been struck off the register following a series of incidents that involved aggressive behaviour towards residents and a colleague. The Scottish Social Services Committee (SSSC) deemed her actions to demonstrate a pattern of aggressive behaviour, raising concerns about her suitability for a role in the profession.

The SSSC investigation revealed that on October 16, 2021, Ms. Smith shouted at a staff member, using explicit language, regarding their assistance to a resident. The following day, on October 17, she was found to have forcefully pushed a resident into his wheelchair by pushing on his thighs while uttering the command “sit down.” Additionally, Ms. Smith directed derogatory language towards the same resident, calling him “lazy” and threatening to leave him in his wheelchair. Further, she shoved another resident against a wall near her bed, pressing her palm onto the resident’s face and pushing it into the wall.

On October 20, Ms. Smith engaged in another aggressive act when she hit a colleague with a tea towel and repeatedly bumped into her while passing by.

The SSSC strongly condemned Ms. Smith’s behaviour, highlighting that it exhibited a consistent pattern of aggression and raised doubts about her suitability for the caring and responsible profession. In their decision, they stated that her actions fell well below the expected level of professionalism and brought into question her values and ability to maintain the dignity of service users and communicate appropriately with both residents and colleagues.

The verdict of the SSSC concluded that Ms. Smith’s aggressive behaviour warranted her removal from the professional register. The decision serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the highest standards of care and professionalism in the social services sector, ensuring the well-being and dignity of vulnerable individuals.

HCOne Limited and Greenfield Park Care Home have not issued a formal statement regarding the incidents involving Carol Smith. However, it is expected that they will take appropriate actions to address the matter and reinforce their commitment to providing a safe and compassionate environment for residents.

The case of Carol Smith serves as a reminder of the crucial role played by regulatory bodies in maintaining the integrity of the social services sector and safeguarding the well-being of those in need of care.

Source: Glasgow Live