School support staff

The proposal on school support staff effectively reinstates the short-lived School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), which was created in 2010 under Labour and abolished by the Conservatives not long after. Its remit was to agree matters relating to pay and conditions of employment of school support staff in local authority maintained schools in England.

The current position is that pay and conditions of support staff at maintained schools in England are covered by the National Joint Council terms and conditions (the Green Book) whereas academies and free schools can set their own terms if they wish to. Labour committed to reintroducing the SSSNB in its 2024 election manifesto.

The Employment Rights Bill would insert a new section into the Education Act 2002 establishing a School Support Staff Negotiation Body (SSSNB). The SSSNB would apply to maintained schools and academies in England. Its remit would cover:

• pay;

• terms and conditions of employment;

• training;

• career progression.