Tackling abuse and assault in the workplace: Checklist for leaders

Steps to take when your staff have been subject to assault at place of work. 

Published:
Download
Checklist England Wales Northern Ireland Behaviour Health and safety Leadership Rights at work
  • Do you have a workplace policy on violence against staff?
  • Does the policy include a provision for staff to have time out to recover after an incident of assault?
  • Does the policy include:
    • Risk assessment procedure
    • Control measures to reduce the risk of violence and assault
    • Reporting procedures
    • Dealing with pupil possession of weapons
    • Assaults by visitors/intruders
    • Assaults by pupils
    • Sexual assault/harassment
    • Incidents within the school vicinity
    • Support for victims
    • Review and monitoring
    • Record keeping
  • You can access the NEU Violence and Assaults Against Staff in Schools Model Policy.
  • Do the policy and related practice take account of student SEND or mental health issues which may affect behaviour?
  • Are measures put in place through behaviour plans to manage student dysregulation?
  • Are systems in place for sharing information about individual students and the things that may trigger behaviour that challenges?
  • Do you have robust systems in place to support all staff, including teachers and support staff, who have been assaulted by students?
  • Are the SLT trained to support staff affected by assault or violence effectively?
  • Does the school have a pastoral team in place to work with staff, students and families following an incident of assault?
  • Are all staff trained in de-escalation practice?
  • Do staff have access to emergency calls or call button to office/SLT for immediate assistance?
  • Are there appropriate reintegration plans for post-incident? (for pupil and staff member working together again)
  • Do governors receive anonymised reports on the nature of incidents and discuss how leaders are supported?

Pregnancy

Back to top