AQW 45635/22-27
Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley
Tabled Date: 06/05/2026
Answered On Date: 19/05/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any work being undertaken to support school staff who have experienced sexual harassment by pupils.
Answer:
Multi-disciplinary support is available from the Education Authority (EA) to schools supporting staff who have experienced sexual harassment by pupils. Within the EA’s People Directorate, a variety of services are reactive in supporting post incident care. Relevant services support schools to provide immediate support for the staff member who has experienced the harmful behaviour. These services are aware of the need for a trauma informed approach, and a training programme is underway, within which key teams will be provided with Safeguarding Board NI level 1 Trauma Informed Practice training. The aim of embedding a trauma informed approach is to better equip managers and school leaders to support staff. The use of Lena Counselling Services and Occupational Health may be appropriate in some cases to support staff. Similarly, EA services that reactively support schools in managing harmful behaviour for pupils will be involved, such as Child Protection and Safeguarding Service and Restorative Practice service. In some circumstances Restorative Practice may be helpful to both the staff member and pupil involved. The following proactive initiatives build capacity and resilience within managers and staff to deal with such incidents effectively: Staff receive mandatory training on “Understanding Diversity & Inclusion”, “Promoting a Dignified Workplace”, and “Active Bystander" which include information on gender equality and sexual harassment. Additional training is also provided for First Time Principals and Boards of Governors. The recent development of EA’s updated Audit of Inequalities 2025/26, which includes a chapter on Gender and analysis on the issue of Violence Against Women and Girls in relation to employment and service provision. Targeted Stakeholder Engagement Sessions to inform EA’s new Equality Action Plan to be launched in 2026, included the topic of Violence Against Women and Girls as a priority. EA facilitates the Joint Consultative Forum for engagement with Education Officials, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations, Trade Unions and compliance organisations. This has included roundtables and presentations with the Executive Office on the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework in December 2024 and UK Feminista on ‘A Whole School Approach to Tackling Sexual Harassment’ in April 2026. The staff member or their manager may avail of resources on EA’s HealthWell Hub and EA Website: Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Workplace Policy EA DSVA Workplace Policy 2021.pdf Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Manager Toolkit DSVA Managers Toolkit.pdf Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Webinar Health Well Free 24/7 confidential staff counselling via Lena by Inspire Lena (by Inspire) | Health Well
|