Moray pupil support assistant detail ‘gruesome reality’ in email to council

A group of pupil support assistants have raised concerns about “unsafe and unsustainable” working conditions in an email outlining the “gruesome reality” of their work in Moray schools.

The email stated “we need help”, with one PSA adding: “We are a sinking ship.”

Seven key concerns are highlighted: risks to inclusive education; lack of medical training; unsafe staffing ratios; health and safety; parents being kept in the dark; misleading claims by the council and concerns not being listen to.

The email includes claims that staff have been asked to administer life-saving medical treatment through feeding tubes, manage seizures and complex behaviours and even bathe some children who require personal care.

Another PSA said that they are paid a classroom assistant wage but “are providing childcare and medical care dressed up as education” despite not having any formal training.

The email adds: “Medical interventions should categorically not be expected from PSAs, especially with no professional training, yet this is what is being expected of us.”

Moray Council said that training has been introduced and that “where children have a medical need, steps are taken to make sure staff are sufficiently trained”.

A spokesperson added that Moray Council is “committed to inclusive practice” and that training programmes are “regularly reviewed”.

The joint-letter, however, says that children with additional support needs (ASN) are not being included in standard class teaching, instead they are placed in “PSA-led” sessions where support staff who are not trained as teachers are left to supervise large groups of pupils with varying needs.

Staff described the priority as “getting through the day safely” instead of providing a quality education.

The email added staffing cuts that came into force last April have caused mental health struggles and an increased number of sick days - only worsening the already “dangerous” levels of pupil to staff ratios.

The group are also concerned that families “are not being told the full extent of how understaffed and undertrained PSAs are”.

After raising concerns with their school senior leadership team and the local authority for the last year through meetings with the unions PSAs feel “let down”.

The group are calling for more medical training, urgent action to address staffing levels and a renewed commitment to inclusive education.

The council added that PSAs are “highly valued” and that their “vital” work is “fully recognised”.

“Once support allocations are given to schools, officers regularly review needs in person,” the spokesperson said.

“There are clear processes in place for schools to ask for advice and support, as well as additional resources whenever needed, and this can happen at any point during the school year.

“Moray Council is committed to inclusive practice, which is being rolled out and embedded across all schools and settings.

“Our training programmes are regularly reviewed and updated to make sure staff have the right skills and knowledge to meet pupils’ needs.”