MORE than 300 assaults were recorded against council employees in the Borders last year.

And the classroom remains the likeliest place for the physical and verbal attacks to take place.

During the 12 months up to April there were 246 physical assaults on local authority staff - 54 involving weapons or objects used as weapons.

A further 49 incidents of verbal abuse or threats were also recorded.

Public services union UNISON believes more could be done to protect frontline workers.

Deborah Clarke, UNISON’s head of community, told us: “We know from the direct experience of our members in the community and voluntary sector that violent assaults on workers are a huge problem.

"This is made worse partly because it is regarded by many employers and others as just ‘part of the job’.

“Violence at work, in any form, is not acceptable and is not part of the contract of employment.”

The latest figures show that there were 57 instances of teacher assaults during the past year, 124 attacks on additional needs assistants, 31 incidents involving either headteachers or depute heads.

UNISON this week launched a guide aimed at protecting local authority workers.

It’s Not Part of the Job also looks at policies for tackling workplace violence.

Dave Watson, UNISON’s head of policy and public affairs, added: “Violence at work is a major occupational hazard for too many workers.

"While physical attacks are the most serious form of violence, verbal abuse and threats are much more common and can have long-term health effects.

"This does not mean there are easy simple solutions that can immediately eradicate all attacks on staff.

However, some employers appear to see violence as inevitable, unpredictable and therefore uncontrollable.

"We hope this guide will give our members the means to ensure that violence is never ‘part of the job’.”

The figures supplied by Scottish Borders Council also highlight attacks on nursery staff, social workers, outreach workers and homelessness officers.

The local authority offers occupational health support and counselling to employees who are subjected to attacks as well an employee helpline for advice.