Member

As the noble Baroness noted, national data shows a sharp rise in complaints and allegations against school staff. Teacher Tapp data also indicates that teachers working in the most deprived communities are twice as likely to face allegations as those elsewhere. This is not a marginal issue but a routine occupational risk, particularly for those working with our most vulnerable children. The impact on mental health and well-being is profound. Teachers describe these processes as isolating and frightening, often occurring while they are suspended and cut off from their professional community. Navigating complex, high-stakes procedures under such stress can trigger long-term illness, damaging morale, confidence and retention in a profession we all wish to sustain.