Support staff
The NEU is committed to working positively and collectively with all who share the goal of improving the working lives of support staff across the sector.
The National Education Union (NEU) recognises that support staff are among the most underpaid and undervalued workers in the sector, and we are proud of our support staff members who campaign tirelessly for better working conditions.
We believe the way forward must be rooted in unity across the trade union movement, together recognising and campaigning on the challenges faced by nearly a million support staff working in schools
Right to join the NEU
Individuals have the right to join any trade union organising in their sector, irrespective of whether that union is recognised by their employer.
Advice
Support staff pay
Support staff pay has lost around 20% of its real value since 2010. Any pay award must be fully funded by the central government.
Tackling support staff job creep
How to win on job creep for support staff.
Working conditions
This advice is designed to help support staff working in state, academy and independent schools to deal with the increase in the quantity and complexity of work for school support staff.
Pay scales
Pay scales for support staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
HLTAs and cover supervisors
Advice for higher level teaching assistants and cover supervisors
Appraisal
Many employers still do not have in place performance management processes for classroom support staff, nor for other categories of support staff.
Lone working risk assessement
NEU believes none of its members should be more at risk in their jobs than other workers just because they are required to work on their own.
Term-time working
An initial section of guidance on term-time working has now been agreed between the local government employers and the recognised trade unions.
Job descriptions and evaluations
Guidance for support staff around job descriptions – their accuracy, and how to go about changing them, and details on job evaluation.
Support staff - classroom observations
It is important that a support staff member understands the reasons for any observation and what elements will be observed and commented on.
Planning, marking and data collection
Planning and assessment are essential elements of a teachers’ role.
Support staff news - winning at work
Support staff members standing together, taking action, and achieving real improvements in their workplaces.
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