Assault on a teacher

[Messie]

Ok so lets change the scenario then.

You work in shop and a customer gets a bit annoyed. Bit of shouting and a bit of a shove into a door. What do you think would happen then? Oh, and by the way, the pusher is under 16

You are a builder/plumber/fitter and someone doesn't agree with what you are saying so they push you - then what? You shove them back? How would that end up?

Please people have a bit of a think about this? We are talking about schools. Before you start spouting off about how you think it SHOULD be, how about trying it out for yourselves for a while.
I've offered before but I'll do it here again now - try it out with me for a week or even just a day. Subject to necessary checks I'll let any of you shadow me for a day or week. Come and sort it all out for us

[Jayneflakes]

If the school is unable to help in a way that satisfies your wife, take it to her union for back up, particularly if she has an injury that needs further treatment or time off work. I was forced to do this under similar circumstances following a long series of homophobic attacks on me, while employed in a school. In my case the school brushed it under the carpet and it cost them in the end because they lost a valued member of staff. The saddest part is that the culprits are often very damaged young people and they do not receive the help and therapy that they need to make them less aggressive or anti social. In my view there are no winners in these cases, only hurt people.

Wish your wife well and send a great big Org Hug.

Originally Posted by Messie

Ok so lets change the scenario then.

You work in shop and a customer gets a bit annoyed. Bit of shouting and a bit of a shove into a door. What do you think would happen then? Oh, and by the way, the pusher is under 16

You are a builder/plumber/fitter and someone doesn't agree with what you are saying so they push you - then what? You shove them back? How would that end up?

Please people have a bit of a think about this? We are talking about schools. Before you start spouting off about how you think it SHOULD be, how about trying it out for yourselves for a while.
I've offered before but I'll do it here again now - try it out with me for a week or even just a day. Subject to necessary checks I'll let any of you shadow me for a day or week. Come and sort it all out for us

What, me count to ten......I speak after 30 years of policing - I am not attacking you personally but our society which has become too soft on dealing with "minor" crimes and "antisocial behaviour". How it should be is for children to learn how to respect themselves, and those around them - particularly those trying to help and teach them. My responses have been in answer the OP for comments and advice. He, and his wife, are at liberty to agree or not.

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by flymo

Place the responsibility on her employer to look after her welfare, it is their problem to deal with the student as they see fit.

Explain to her boss that she is going to see a doctor and is considering discussing with a solicitor, that should catch their attention.

Thats right.Health and safety in the workplace is everyones responsibility,but ultimately the employer is liable for any failures.That means as long as you take reasonable precautions and keep the management informed of any issues they have to deal with it or face the possibility of a big legal case.

[Messie]

Shame that the Police Officer, who had an office at our school and was in our school for 2 days a week, has had her funding cut. She said that her work in the school (the service was put into all schools in our area) was invaluable in getting to know the kids and families and she reckoned more good and crime prevention has been done as a result than most other crime prevention strategies. She always FULLY supported our school's behavioir management strategies and commented that we could do more to sanction kids than she could ever do! She only ever pulled rank as it were, when offences were committed outside school and, more often than not, would look to us to help. The Police are evn more hanstrung than the education service when it comes to dealing with minors! Do me a favour - you got out of it!

Messie ...... Do me a favour - you got out of it!

So will you when the time comes. It doesn't change the fact that there deep underlying problems within our society regarding morals and behaviour. I am a parent and a grandparent - don't you think I despair for the future of my young ones. You are absolutely correct about those in authority being hamstrung - no one is blaming you, we have to blame society and governments for allowing and basically accepting the rot. I really do not envy you your job, and I certainly do not want mine back again - I , and my wife, also ex police, have too many health problems because of it. It does not mean that I do not care.

Originally Posted by Messie

Ok so lets change the scenario then.

You work in shop and a customer gets a bit annoyed. Bit of shouting and a bit of a shove into a door. What do you think would happen then? Oh, and by the way, the pusher is under 16

You are a builder/plumber/fitter and someone doesn't agree with what you are saying so they push you - then what? You shove them back? How would that end up?

Both scenarios would be reportable as assault.

Report it to the already overstretched police and leave it to them to slap his/her wrists, caution, do bugger all etc etc

[MisterTommyH]

What about the HSE route?

If this is a recurring incident it is a known risk that should be risk assessed and have reasonable measures put in place to prevent further instances. By not doing this the head / LEA is failing in their duty of care to their employee.

[Messie]

Originally Posted by speedplay

Both scenarios would be reportable as assault.

Report it to the already overstretched police and leave it to them to slap his/her wrists, caution, do bugger all etc etc

Exactly the point I wanted to make. In my experience, and I accept this may not be the case in all schools, we actually do more to sanction the kid than the police do.

Anyway, I'll leave the discussion to others now. Ralph's missus had an unfortunate incident at her school. It's up to her and them to sort out.

If anyone wants to find out what it's like in an ordinary comp by doing a bit of work shadowing, then PM me

Originally Posted by Tommy H

What about the HSE route?

If this is a recurring incident it is a known risk that should be risk assessed and have reasonable measures put in place to prevent further instances. By not doing this the head / LEA is failing in their duty of care to their employee.

We often hear of zero tolerance policies without genuine government/society backing - we really only seem to treat the symptoms, not the root causes. Until we move away from many of the liberal woolly minded notions I fear little will change. I certainly do not advocate a totalitarian police state, but a return to common sense and true moral values (no doubt we will be divided on the interpretation of such). Over the years we have gradually begun to accept what is unacceptable as acceptable. The question is how can we change and do we really want to?

Sorry if this moving too far way from -Ralph's- original post.