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ITEM EX7 - ANNEX 1

EXECUTIVE – 6 FEBRUARY 2002

NEW PAY AND CAREER PROPOSALS FOR LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS (LSAs) AND EARLY YEARS SUPPORT WORKERS (EYSWs)

Summary of responses received from schools and other individuals and organisations to the County Council’s consultation paper of Autumn 2001.

A. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

1. The consultation documents were distributed on 28 September 2001. The final date for the return of responses was 30 November.
2. A total of 91 responses was received. Of these:

70 were from nursery and primary schools

10 were from special schools

8 were from middle and secondary schools

3 were from other organisations/individuals

3. There were three consultation questions. In the first of them schools were asked whether in principle they supported the County Council’s proposal to increase the pay of LSAs from Scale 1 to Scale 1/2 from April 2002. Responses were overwhelmingly in favour, with 92% of those who responded to the consultations in clear agreement and only 1% definitely against. Although many schools were in full agreement with the principles behind the proposal, a significant proportion of them felt strongly that the LEA should fund the extra costs in full.
4. In the second consultation question, schools were asked whether they supported the County Council’s proposal to pay an extra qualification allowance of £700 per annum (equating to £504 per annum for those working the normal "full-time" pattern of 32.5 hours a week/38 weeks a year, with proportionately less for part timers) from April 2002 to LSAs who have obtained certain recognised qualifications. Once again, responses to this question were overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal, with 92% of those who responded to the consultations in clear agreement and 4% definitely against. As with the previous question, however, many schools felt strongly that the LEA should fund the extra costs of this proposal in full.
5. In the third consultation question, schools were asked whether in principle they supported the County Council’s proposals to introduce a new three grade career structure for early years support workers from September 2002. Support for this proposal was high with 82% of the primary and special schools which responded to this question expressing themselves in clear agreement and only 4% definitely against.

B. DETAILED COMMENTS ON EACH QUESTION

1. In response to Question One (Additional Pay for LSAs):

• 12 respondents, all from primary schools, welcome the long overdue recognition that the County Council’s proposals give to LSAs and to the important role they play in supporting children’s education.

• 4 respondents (2 from primary and 2 from special schools) say that they are already paying their LSAs on Scale 2.

• 4 respondents (3 from primary and one from special schools) say that they think that the pay increase proposed by the County Council is far too small given the professional nature of the tasks which LSAs perform. In a number of cases, LSAs have been able to find other, less stressful work locally on either the same or higher rates of pay.

2. In response to Question 2 (Qualifications Allowance for LSAs):

• 7 respondents (4 from primary, 2 from special and one from an individual LSA) specifically support the proposal and believe it will encourage professional development amongst LSAs.

• 3 respondents, all from primary schools, believe that the amount of the proposed £504 allowance will be too small to make a real difference to recruitment and retention.

• Other specific comments are as follows:

• clarity in the mechanism for applying the allowance is essential
• ‘Portfolios of relevant experience’ should also count for payment of the allowance as well as the completion of certain specific courses.
• A minimum qualification may be required for all LSA posts eventually
• Qualifications should be linked either to the specific role which an LSA performs, or else to the grade of post
• The needs of special schools need to be taken specifically into account.

3. In response to Question 3 (New Career structure for Early Years Support Workers):

• 8 respondents (3 from primary, 3 from special and 2 from secondary schools) feel that the approach now being recommended for early years support workers should be broadened to include all LSAs and support staff working in schools.

• 2 respondents (one primary and one secondary) say that the criteria for establishing the new, more senior posts within the new career structure must be clear and straightforward to apply.
  
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