Schools should create “clear communication” routes for parents to raise concerns with staff members in a “respectful way” to prevent the bullying and harassment of teachers, new government guidance states. The Department for Education promised new guidance to help schools tackle harassment of staff back in January 2024, after a sharp rise in school leaders reporting they had been verbally abused by parents. A survey by school leaders’ union NAHT found that 82 per cent of heads said they had been abused by parents in 2023-24, with one in ten suffering physical violence. Leaders also reported an “exponential” rise in the number of parental complaints. While existing guidance covers pupil on staff bullying and staff on staff bullying, new non-statutory guidance outlines approaches for parent on staff cases. Here’s everything you need to know… 1. Develop clear procedures Guidance states that schools should create “effective whole school approaches” to bullying and communicate this to pupils, staff and parents. It says “there is no single solution to bullying of staff that will suit all schools in all circumstances but schools should set out a clear escalation route,” involving both the headteacher and governing board, if necessary. Schools should expect parents to value daily attendance, be supportive of school policies, be active participants in their children’s learning and treat school staff respectfully, guidance states. They should communicate this through social media channels or through home-school agreements. Leaders should create “clearly communicated processes” which “should allow parents to raise concerns with the relevant member of staff in a respectful way that promotes working in partnership and avoids becoming abusive”. If a parent wishes to record a meeting, it should be made clear that all parties must consent, and the recording should not be used in ways that cause harm, distress or intimidation. Depending on the nature of the incident, leaders could mediate, give a verbal or written warning, bar a parent from the school site, or report them to the police. 2. Consider ‘systemic’ factors Responses should go beyond addressing single incidents and make account of “systemic and intersectional factors”, guidance says. “Teachers and leaders from ethnic minority groups and those with a physical or mental health condition have consistently been more likely to report experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination,” guidance says. This may shape their experience of bullying or harassment, and may require school-wide intervention, it continues. This could involve whole-school training for staff, reviewing and updating policies, ensuring incidents are appropriately reviewed, and reinforce clear expectations. 3. Social media Guidance also sets out how schools should handle social media incidents of bullying, such as misuse of a recording or conversations that harass a staff member. The acceptable use of social media should be made clear to parents, “outlining the school’s expectations to ensure the school’s ethos is respected”, guidance says. These incidents should be reported immediately to a designated lead, headteacher, governing body or academy trust. It could also be reported to an individual’s trade union. Schools should also involve the police in more serious cases where a criminal offence may have occurred. For pupils, schools should have policies on the use of devices on and off the school site, guidance says. It should be made clear that use of social networks “should not cause harm to others or bring the school into disrepute”, guidance says. 4. Campaigns and protests Guidance says complaints can sometimes escalate into high volume “campaigns” which can take place offline or online, or be a combination of both. These could be triggered by a new school policy, specific incidents, perceived controversial decisions, or teaching related to sensitive political, religious or cultural topics, “While these could relate to legitimate concerns, they may also include abusive, intimidating, and harassing behaviours and language,” it says. While guidance makes it clear that peaceful protest is a part of democratic society, where issues escalate into intimidating or threatening behaviour, schools should work with the council and police. Councils can use powers to restrict protests taking place outside a school if they are likely to be “unreasonable and persistent”, intimidating for staff members, impede the school’s provision of services, and prevent action to the site. If a protest or community tension is based around a complaint, schools should remain impartial, respect confidentiality, and consider the impact of the incident on those targeted.