The Public Service Association instructed its members working as School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) not to secure students in vehicles from Wednesday 21 October 2026.

The ban extends to Administrative and Support Staff, General Assistants, School Psychologists and Student Support Officers.

The PSA has been raising concerns with the expectation that SLSOs secure students into vehicles for a number of months.

In addition to it not being in your statement of duties, our SLSO delegates and the PSA are highly concerned about the conditions under which members are being asked to undertake this work. It cited a lack of training, as well as the need for the work to be carried out under the supervision of a teacher.

The union said its Special Education Working Group has been discussing issues raised directly by members in relation to securing students for some time. Delegates on the working group passed a motion supporting the PSA taking action on this important issue for members.