I started working as a learning support assistant about 12 years ago. I have worked with every age group, from nursery through to people in their 60s, mostly in schools in working-class areas where the progression to higher education is low. Now, I work primarily with adult learners.
It has always been challenging work, but I never wanted a job that was driven by profit. Often, our learners have really problematic home lives and we end up being a background support system. We are not experts in this, or even trained, but we help them in whatever way we can. Sometimes, that means providing them with money or food. Sometimes, it’s about listening.
In the past couple of years, the insecurity in people’s lives has been getting worse and worse – and it’s affecting their behaviour. You see learners breaking down in tears because they are so overwhelmed, or they are venting their anger and frustration.
Since we came back on-site post-lockdown, behaviour is worse than it has ever been. Every staff member that I have spoken to agrees. There has been spitting, foul language, littering, disregard for shared spaces and teachers’ authority – it’s shocking. Learners even reject the idea that there should be repercussions for their behaviour. We are at breaking point.
