Teacher whistleblowing form dropped after one use

A whistleblowing form for teachers to report violent incidents involving pupils in schools has been removed by Aberdeen City Council.

The council introduced the forms in March after staff complained they were being discouraged from reporting such incidents.

But it later emerged the form was only used once.

A report going before the local authority’s education committee next week states the decision follows a review of the policy. The EIS teaching union said it was not surprised the measure was being withdrawn.

The EIS said since the form’s introduction it was worried that unions were bypassed in the process.

It added some teachers were also worried about the possibility of identification.

The whistleblowing form was announced by the council after an EIS report, published in February, highlighted violent pupil behaviour in the city’s schools.

It suggested teachers were being encouraged not to report incidents in a drive to keep down exclusions.

Some said they were traumatised, feared for their safety, and were scared to go to work because of escalating pupil violence.

Ron Constable, branch secretary of the EIS, said he was not surprised the form was being removed.

He told BBC Scotland News: "The EIS thought this was a totally inadequate form for reporting incident.

"It bypassed the trade unions completely and, while it gave the council the chance to hear the thoughts of teachers, there were concerns – especially in smaller schools – about being identified."

The education committee papers state: "The whistleblowing form was only used once, and the staff member was happy for no further action following a discussion with the chief officer education and lifelong learning.

"Due to the fact it was not accessed regularly there was agreement between all stakeholders that it could be removed."

It adds: "The review of the whistleblowing policy has taken place and the decision has been made to stand down the form."

Councillor Martin Greig, convener of the education committee, told BBC Scotland News: "I understand that the form has been used once in the last six months or so and its value is being questioned.

"We need to keep on considering what is the best way to ensure that teachers and staff at the front line have maximum opportunities for raising concerns.

"They need to be able to record incidents as swiftly and as efficiently as possible."

He explained: "We need to make the process more accessible and easier so that we are gathering all the information from those who are experiencing it first-hand."

He said the whistleblowing form had been in addition to other measures in put place, including the agreement of a behaviour action plan.

"We have a very detailed set of actions in Aberdeen, where we have created opportunities to improve relationships within schools,” he added.

"We are on a learning journey, and we need to be honest and open, share our thoughts, and do our best to move things forward."

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment ahead of committee meeting next week."