Almost 60% of school support staff say there are fewer colleagues than a year ago, and over 75% warn that reduced staffing is harming pupils’ education and safety, according to a UK-wide survey by UNISON
UK schools are facing a school staff shortage that is undermining children’s learning and safety, warns UNISON. A recent UK-wide survey of nearly 3,000 support staff, including teaching assistants, technicians, caterers, and cleaners, highlights how reduced staff is affecting daily life in classrooms and support services nationwide. School staff are struggling to meet pupils’ needs and are concerned about how reduced staffing is affecting children’s safety.
Increased workloads and unpaid overtime for school staff
A recent survey conducted by UNISON has shed light on the challenging landscape of education, focusing on the experiences of school staff and the impact on students. The findings paint a concerning picture: nearly 59% of support staff in schools reported a decrease in their workforce over the past year, while only a minimal 6% indicated that their numbers had increased. This decline in staff numbers is having significant repercussions for educational quality and student safety.
An alarming 78% of staff reported that current staffing levels are insufficient to adequately support pupils’ needs. This shortage not only affects the educational experience but also raises serious concerns about student well-being. In fact, a comparable 77% of respondents expressed concern that reduced staffing levels hinder their ability to ensure a safe environment for all students. These statistics point to a pressing need to address the staffing crisis in schools and safeguard children’s educational and emotional needs.
The survey revealed that the primary reason for the staff shortage is the failure of schools to replace employees who leave. As a result, the workloads for existing staff increase, leading to unpaid overtime. Although they attempt to support students, manage clubs, and cover classes, school staff continue to struggle to meet the growing demand.
School staff shortages will continue to worsen
UNISON warns that this situation is likely to get worse, with over 77% of staff saying they are worried about further budget cuts in the next 12 months. Furthermore, 38% of staff are looking for better-paid jobs.
UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “This survey paints a bleak picture of an underappreciated workforce going above and beyond. But even so, staff believe pupils’ education is suffering due to shortages.
“The situation is bad news for everybody and simply unsustainable. Overstretched employees are taking on extra responsibilities and doing teacher-level work for support staff wages.
“Schools need extra cash so they can replace people when they leave and afford fair pay rises for all their employees.
“The forthcoming school support staff negotiating body should mean better recognition of the vital contribution made by the likes of teaching assistants, caterers and technicians.
“Crucially, it must improve their pay and conditions, backed by the increased government funding that schools clearly need.”
