Member

What teachers are asking for is neither radical nor costly. Allowing them to be accompanied by a trained professional is entirely within the Government’s gift. It requires no additional public expenditure and no new bureaucracy. Indeed, by improving the quality of the process and reducing escalation, it is likely to reduce costs for schools and local authorities. We must also recognise the changing context. The department’s own guidance acknowledges that artificial intelligence is increasing the volume and complexity of complaints, leading to more investigations and greater staff stress. In that environment, the absence of consistent access to support becomes increasingly problematic.