UK School Assistant Loses Unfair Dismissal Case Over Safeguarding Breach

A primary school teaching assistant in west London has lost his unfair dismissal claim after being sacked for inappropriate physical contact with five pupils. The school investigated after a Year Six pupil said he had tickled her and four friends around their waists with a crocodile puppet during PE and club sessions. A parent also complained about a remark he made while a pupil sang a cartoon song. The assistant said he viewed the behaviour as playful banter and did not realise tickling around the waist could breach safeguarding rules. He was dismissed for gross misconduct in September 2023. An employment tribunal upheld the school’s decision, finding that his admitted conduct breached safeguarding principles and was serious enough to justify dismissal.

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