School assaults force nearly 400 staff to take leave in 2024
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Some 396 school staff were left unable to perform their duties last year due to a physical injury they suffered in the classroom or on school grounds.
Figures released to the show that more than 1,300 teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) have taken assault leave since 2020 after sustaining a physical injury during their course of their duties.
SNAs make up the vast majority of those assaulted while at school; 70% of the staff who required to take leave to recover from their sustained physical injuries were SNAs.
The figures are likely to be higher again, as the Department of Education does not collect data relating to teachers and SNAs employed in the ETB sector.
It comes as special education teacher Sophie Cole, from Carrigaline, is highlighting gaps in the current assault leave available for those injured at school.
Ms Cole has since been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, acknowledged as one of the world’s most painful conditions for which there is no known cure, following a classroom assault in 2022.
Sophie is now working to amend the current assault leave provisions available to those working in classrooms.
“It was bad enough to suffer a life-changing injury but it was all the parts that followed were just so heartbreaking,” she explained.
“I was left with no one to turn to, I didn’t understand assault leave, I didn’t understand illness benefit, I didn’t understand the social welfare system and I had no one to guide me through it.”
Although there is evidence to suggest many teachers and SNAs have been left with life-altering injuries from classroom assaults, Sophie believes many do not speak out.
“For so long I think it was a real taboo subject. Nobody really ever spoke out about this; it is because partly there’s this nearly kind of shame attached I think.
“People are embarrassed by it, people don’t want to be seen as causing a fuss, but the lack of support I received after my assault, it was the most isolating experience ever.”
Ms Cole is currently campaigning for assault leave to be amended to provide staff with financial assistance to cover expenses relating to medical bills, therapy sessions and medication.
She is also seeking an amendment to extend assault leave for the duration of school staff’s medically certified leave, and for the establishment of a “comprehensive support system for educators who become victims of violence in the workplace, ensuring a swift and emphatic response to their needs.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the leave available under assault leave is 92 days at full pay in a rolling four-year period.
In exceptional cases, where a “significant period of hospitalisation is required or in situations of a second or subsequent incident of assault”, this may be extended for a further period not exceeding 91 days at full pay.
This is limited overall, however, to 183 days ay full pay in a rolling four-year period.
"Any subsequent absence will be dealt with under the Sick Leave scheme.” The terms and conditions of assault leave were agreed with all education partners and “are in line with what is currently being applied across the public service,” she added.
“It is intended that the terms and conditions of the Scheme will be further discussed with all Education Partners in 2025.” As of November, there were 14 employees on leave of absence following assault.
“Once the entitlement to this leave has been exhausted and the teacher [or] SNA remains medically unfit to return to work, the teacher[or] SNA can apply for the sick leave scheme.” The department does not collect data on the reason for sick leave absences.