Results of Survey on Assaults Croke Park Saturday 8 th December 2012 Deirbhile Nic Craith Senior 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 responses Profile of respondents 27% (78% female & 22% male) 82.5% mainstream 12.5% 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 assaults 97% re dealing with assaults

Prevalence of assaults by pupils in last 5 years PhysicalVerbal No such incidences58%54% One teacher11%6% Two teachers9%10% Three teachers7%8% Four teachers5% Five teachers5%7% More than five5%12%

Trends The risk of experiencing assault PhysicalVerbal PrincipalTeacherPrincipalTeacher Increased risk42%46%57%63% Decreased risk8%5%6%5% No change50%49%37%33%

Prevalence of Assaults on Principals 20% of principals experienced physical assault 54% of principals experienced verbal assault PhysicalVerbal By teacher1%9% By pupil20%23% By parent1%41% By SNA1%

Prevalence of Assaults on Teachers 18% of teachers experienced physical assault 39% of teacher experienced verbal assault PhysicalVerbal By pupil18%22% By teacher4% By SNA1% By parent23%

Impact of assaults Teacher AbsencesSchoolsTeachers Physical assault9%6% Verbal assault6%1% Medical Attention Physical assault14%16% Verbal assault4%

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 Action Course of action Satisfied YESNO Physical assault71%29% Verbal assault65%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 Teachers Physical restraint techniques5% Preventing assaults5% 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 PhysicalVerbal One teacher2%14% Two teachers1%17% Three teachers9% Four teachers5% Five teachers5% More than five6%

Cultural / Societal Nationally, manners and respect not what it used to be! Infant children having a tantrum can sometimes lash out