You will probably be aware that currently there is no statutory, national pay body for school support staff (as opposed to teachers, where we have the School Teachers’ Review Body, often referred to as the STRB). Most school support staff are employed on terms and conditions set by the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Government Services. The NJC agrees a national framework with potential for local modification.
This is about to change as the Government is set to reinstate the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB), which was abolished back in 2010. The newly reformed SSSNB will be made up of representatives of employers, unions and an independent chairperson and will be tasked with making sure support staff are paid fairly and have access to training and career progression opportunities. To ensure all school staff have access to fair pay and conditions the SSSNB will apply to support staff in both local authority maintained schools and academies.
On 11th June 2025 the DfE launched a five week consultation on the scope of the SSSNB, alongside a call for evidence on current terms and conditions for support staff. The consultation will run to 18th July 2025 and the full consultation documents can be reviewed here
As yet there has been no confirmation of a date in which the SSSNB will become fully operational again. We will provide further updates as and when they arrive.