Schools need encouragement to follow Cabinet Office guidance to financially support supply teachers during school closures – REC urges government

Supply teachers and other vital agency staff, including those in the NHS, must be supported financially during COVID-19 with schools being encouraged to follow Cabinet Office guidance to continue paying 80% of their temps’ salaries, the REC has said. 

REC members have expressed concern that many schools and colleges are not aware of this guidance or that they are choosing not to use it. Additionally, there is confusion about whether this guidance overlaps with the Job Retention Scheme – it doesn’t. The REC has called on the government to write to all schools to highlight the Cabinet Office guidance and ask them to take it up.

In a letter sent today to the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, the REC welcomed guidance that public bodies, including schools, should continue to pay agency supply staff. Those who were on a live assignment but unable to continue to work when schools closed are still eligible to receive 80% of their usual salary if the Cabinet Office guidance is followed.*

Tom Hadley, Director of Policy at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), said:

“Schools want to protect the jobs of their employees and supply teachers so that they are ready to go when their doors open again. So it’s vitally important that schools are encouraged to follow the Cabinet Office guidance to support supply teachers through a continued salary. That’s why we’re asking the Department of Education to write to all schools to ensure they are aware of, and understand what they need to do. This will go a long way to helping schools protect jobs and their teachers’ livelihoods at this difficult time.

“However we navigate the opening up of schools after the lockdown, it’s essential that schools have the teachers they need – including supply teachers – to get up and running again. This will make all the difference to how fast the economy bounces back.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The letter was sent to the Education Secretary on 4 May and is available here.
2. *Although schools cannot be mandated to follow the Cabinet Office guidance, a recent update to the Department for Education's website clearly states that schools should follow this procurement policy.