You’re expected to be a psychologist, counsellor and bodyguard

Long-serving school staff are quitting due to the stresses of the job.

A pupil support assistant in South Lanarkshire admits: “I have been doing this 14 years and I am sick of it now as it’s a thankless task – I just want out.

“You are now expected to be a psychologist, a counsellor and a bodyguard all into one.

“We have two or three people per class with additional support needs and it spreads you so much thinner.

“Realistically we need three or four assistants for each classroom.

“I’ve been bitten, spat on, kicked, punched, had my hair pulled – you name it. And that is just the physical stuff – the verbal abuse can be appalling.

“One time I was off for more than a month with stress after I was spat on and kicked – nobody should have to put up with that.

“You are told to fill in ‘violence at work’ forms but you never hear anything again.

“I am quite sure these figures don’t tell the full story.

“It can vary from school to school. Where I am now, the management are great but they can’t do anything.

“I love my job but I can’t do it properly now. I know plenty of people who have quit as they know they can earn the same money in a pub or in a shop without any of the hassle.

“I have started looking for something else now as I don’t see any future in education for me.

“It breaks my heart but why should I have to put up with this?”