Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education

Nick Kirk — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:34:29 +0000

This guidance has been drawn up in consultation with trade unions and key stakeholders and comes into force from 1 January 2007. It sets out the responsibilities of local authorities, schools and FE colleges and details relevant legislation. The guidance is also relevant for agencies which supply staff to the education sector, contractors who work in education establishments responsible for under 18s, as well as providers of education and training for those under 18 funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

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URGENT MEETING FOR SCHOOL REPS

Paul Couchman — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:23:20 +0000

"CALLING ALL SCHOOL STEWARDS AND CONTACTS. A meeting for those of us who are reps or contacts, AND THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN BEING ONE, is being held on MONDAY 20th November at 4pm to 6pm at THE RUNNYMEDE CENTRE,Chertsy Rd, Addlestone KT15 2EP It is just off Jct 10 of the M25 and has easy parking. Bring your questions and concerns and hear latest news relavent to school members of UNISON. Please email me if you can come and with any questions for discussion. ginnyeaton@hotmil.co.uk or phone me on UNISON mobile 07766 142629. Thanks and hope to see you soon. Ginny Eaton, School Convenor.

April Pay Rise Guaranteed

Paul Couchman — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 11:16:47 +0000

WHAT A RESULT IT IS! SCC BACKING DOWN ABOUT THE ANNUAL PAY INCREASE DATE!

Your vote in the recent ballot for industrial action helped to persuade SCC to see sense and keep our pay increase date as April instead of September as they were intending.

The pay negotiations are continuing, to finalise what amount we receive this year and other details eg mileage rates and w/end pay. UNISON and GMB put in for 4% or £500. which ever is the greater. For most of us in schools £500. would be the greater. We will keep you informed of developements.

Negotiations are still ongoing for the nursery nurses and welfare assistants in SLD schools who are on the old 52week contracts. Nothing is settled yet. SCC say we can't stay on them and need to be paid term-time only like other TAs in schools. We were all on SY4 until re-evaluation put us onto SY5 and then after UNISONS' appeal we have been re-evaluated to SYC. This is a good result but once our pay is pro-ratad it is not so brilliant.

Some of the SLD schools are trying to get around this by altering the job descriptions and paying the new staff on SY5. This is without proper consultation with UNISON.

If you are on a 52 week contract and work term-time in school or have any questions or information about this please do contact me on my email or UNISON mobile or through the UNISON office. ginnyeaton@hotmail.co.uk 07766 142629 020 8541 9091/1585.

Did you receive my recent letters by email or post OK? One went out last term in July and then another about the pay ballot in late August. Any problems with receiving these do let me know.

Each month 15-25 school staff join UNISON Surrey County branch because they realise that we need to be in a union if we work with children and if we work for the local authority. There is no one to advise and support us over issues that may arise in our working situation......if those issues become contentious. The school HR person (from 4S) is there to advise the management and can't help employees. UNISON will do that and with the full weight of our legal department if necessary and appropriate. The first point of reference is your workplace steward and then the branch who will work together to advise and support you with whatever you have to face.

It may be a return to work interview after a lengthy abscence or a meeting to discuss your abscences. Maybe you have a grievance to present to your manager, Headteacher, or you may be facing a disciplinary or capability meeting. You may be injured at work and want advise or legal assistance. Maybe you have questions about your pay or job description and cannot get satisfaction from talking to your admin officer or Headteacher. All these things can be dealt with along with your union rep and branch.

That's why its so important to have a workplace rep and if you haven't got one yet at your school do talk with your fellow UNISON members and elect one or two of you to do this important role. UNISON and the TUC provide excellent training for stewards and Health and Safety Reps. SCC encourage schools and other workplaces to have stewards as it helps with those situations I have mentioned and they recommend we are allowed reasonable time off for union training and activities, which is our legal right as trade union activists. PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING YOUR SCHOOL STEWARD OR H&S REP. Phone me or the office for a chat about it if you are interested.

Ginny Eaton: Schools Convenor.