Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
Supply teachers are an essential part of the workforce and, along with partners, we are committed to ensure their contribution is better recognised and rewarded. It is for schools and governing bodies to source staff as appropriate, however the Welsh Government has been taking a proactive approach to developing a sustainable model for supply teaching, with fair work at its heart. We are grateful to our Co-operation Agreement partners for their part in this work during the Co-operation Agreement period.
Most supply teachers in Wales are employed through agencies, so we have strengthened the Supply Agency Framework to require agencies to sign up to the ‘SaferJobs’ network; strengthen requirements for agencies to comply with statutory employment requirements; and provide assurance that agencies work to support the Professional Learning Entitlement. The Framework is well utilised, 98% of the money spent on the provision of supply staff across Wales is to those agencies appointed to the Framework.
However, we also know that supply teachers want to be able to access alternative employment models, through which they are employed in accordance with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document (STPC(W)D) and have access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). That is why, in 2023, we began an initial roll out of a National Supply Pool within Ynys Môn. Under this model, Ynys Môn has remained the employer, managing payroll and ensuring access to the TPS. While the initial roll out took place in a local authority which directly employs supply teachers, work has been taking place with partners to consider how such a model could be operated across Wales.
Officials held a summit in 2024 with key stakeholders, including unions and local authorities, to discuss progress and next steps for supporting supply teachers in Wales. In exploring options to deliver the supply pool nationally, each option was found to present significant challenges, reflecting the different approaches to sourcing supply staff across different local authorities. It is now clear that while the Supply Pool has worked well in Anglesey it will not deliver the intended benefits of STPC(W)D terms and conditions and access to TPS on a national basis because of the different employment models across local authorities. I have therefore decided to close the work on developing a National Supply Pool for Wales. Officials will work closely with Ynys Môn to support their transition over the coming months. I would like to thank Ynys Môn for participating in the initial roll out and Teacher Booker for the successful roll out of the platform in Ynys Môn.
In January, I announced the development of a Strategic Education Workforce Plan to ensure we are focusing clearly on delivery and improvement for our education workforce. Further work to develop a sustainable model for supply teaching, will now be taken forward as part of the plan. Both the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body and the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee have made a number of relevant recommendations which will be considered as part of this work.
I will continue to keep the Senedd informed as this work progresses.