NEU Cymru welcomes the recommendations for employing supply teachers employed through local authorities or directly by schools in Wales, which was published by the Welsh Government today.
Speaking about the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s (IWPRB) review of the roles and responsibilities of supply teachers employed through local authorities or directly by schools in Wales, and its recommendations, Emma Forrest, NEU’s assistant general secretary with responsibility for Wales, said:
“NEU Cymru’s supply teacher members will be pleased with most of the IWPRB’s recommendations in their review published today, and we will take time to consider it with them. Our members are clear, supply teachers should have equal access to pay and pensions, alongside their peers.
“They will be especially pleased to note the recommendations include that supply teachers employed through local authorities or directly by schools should be entitled to the benefits of the pay and conditions requirements, such as incremental salary progression due to experience, and that clarifications need to be made to the School Teachers Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document (STPC(W)D) to ensure these benefits are awarded.
“However, whilst this report appears to be a positive step forward, NEU Cymru still has concerns around the treatment of teachers undertaking work through supply agencies, where the pay and conditions are unsatisfactory and are not aligned to the STPC(W)D.
“We must do more to try and protect those teachers having to work through supply agencies as this will be of the most benefit for supply teachers, local authorities, schools and, ultimately, children and their learning."