The Department for Education (DfE) has issued a formal response to a petition calling for a national pay review for teaching assistants (TAs) and Special Educational Needs Learning Support Assistants (SEN LSAs). The petition, which has garnered over 10,000 signatures, demands a comprehensive overhaul of pay, working conditions, and national standards for more than 300,000 support staff.
Petition Demands National Reform
The petition, created by Iliana Lazova, calls for a national pay scale, an end to term-time-only contracts, equal cost-of-living awards, a SEN allowance, reform of the Green Book, correct London weighting, a national job description, a workload review, and automatic pay progression. It states: "TA and SEN LSA staff play a crucial role in supporting pupils with SEN and those falling behind, yet their pay, progression and conditions lag far behind teachers despite rising responsibilities. Recruitment and retention are in crisis, worsening outcomes for vulnerable pupils. National reform is needed to ensure fair pay, clear job standards, consistent London weighting, equal cost-of-living awards and sustainable workloads."
Government Response: New Negotiating Body
In its response, the DfE announced the establishment of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), a new statutory body to negotiate pay and conditions for school support staff. The DfE said: "We are establishing the School Support Staff Negotiating Body to negotiate pay and conditions, and advise on training and career progression, for our vital school support staff." The body will bring together employer and employee representatives to give a sector-specific voice to support staff, who make up roughly half of the directly employed school workforce.
Pay and Contract Changes
The DfE confirmed that agreements ratified by the Secretary of State on pay, terms, and conditions will be incorporated into individual employee contracts where they fall below new statutory minimums set by the SSSNB. This will establish a consistent national 'floor' for all school support staff while allowing more favourable terms beyond this and protecting employees from detrimental changes.
Investment in SEND Training
The DfE also announced a £200 million investment in a new SEND training offer to upskill staff in every school, college, and nursery, including training for teaching assistants. This investment aims to improve support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
