Category: Information for Members

Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association and most other UK teaching unions have written an open letter to the new government setting out our concerns about the potential impact of funding cuts on the education system. The letter, published in the Sunday Times, calls for a commitment to fund the additional costs already facing schools and colleges and protect all education funding regardless of sector, age or location.

CfE Cutting Bureaucracy Report March 2015               *****IMPORTANT*****

Guidance for schools on

1. Assessment – based on professional judgement, no need for large folios of evidence
2. Forward Planning – NO need to plan, assess, record or report every outcome
3. Monitoring and Reporting – use CAUTION with ICT planning and reporting systems
4. Self Evaluation and Planning – “tick box” audit distracts from teaching and learning

SSTA to issue guidance to be used in Working Time Agreements negotiations.

Materials to be circulated to schools see www.ssta.org.uk

Education Scotland

1. Review of the Inspection Process for implementation in the autumn 2017
2. Meeting arranged on SSTA involvement with CfE Management Board (5 May)
3. SSTA involvement in future consultation arrangements on education matters

SQA – New Qualifications

1. The SSTA has met with the SQA and raised issues identified in the SSTA survey including bureaucracy, verification processes, information on website and training
2. The survey also showed teachers removing themselves from the external qualification process. Further findings to be considered by the Education Committee
3. Chief Executive of SQA to attend SSTA Congress and take part in a Q&A session

Supply Teachers

1. SSTA is working with SNCT on improving the current arrangements including a national register and restoration of supply teacher pay rates.
2. Information received from members, supply teacher shortage, highlighted in the press
3. Supply teacher bulletin see ssta.org.uk

Flexible Working

SSTA Salaries Conditions of Service Committee is preparing updated guidance on Working Time Agreements for distribution by the end of April

Absence Management

1. Increasing examples received of schools using the procedure to ‘bully’ teachers.
2. SSTA advocating a review in LAs to produce a fair and supportive procedure

‘Named Person’ consultation

1. Additional Support Needs advisory panel thanks members for their help in producing the SSTA response available on ssta.org.uk
2. SSTA member’s fact sheet available on ssta.org.uk

Scottish Teachers for Enhancing Practice 21 March

SSTA sponsored event with participants appreciative of the association’s involvement

General Teacher’s Council Scotland

1. Professional Update (PU) guidance for Senior Managers well received ssta.org.uk
2. PU focus group meeting to discuss personal CPD entitlement and the reduction of the administrative procedures

 Ulster Teachers’ Union Conference 20 March

1. Opposition to Education Budget Cuts and cost of living pay increase
2. Social Media policy to protect teachers, pupils and schools
3. Changes to produce a positive and supportive Inspection process

Association Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) 30 March – 1 April

1. ATL to explore a closer working relationship with the NUT
2. Workload survey to include impact on retention and recruitment of teachers and those in senior positions. Develop proposals to reduce workload and the shortage of teachers
3. To campaign and raise awareness of issues faced by young carers
4. Support for more practical work in the Curriculum and in Examination process
5. Conference addressed by Labour Education spokesperson – committed to end Free Schools and review Ofsted but continued to promote the Academy School programme.

National Union of Teachers (NUT) 3 – 5 April

1. Campaign to reduce teacher workload and to gain a national contract for teachers
2. A national register of Supply teachers to end the exploitation by supply teacher agencies (more than 400 exist in England)
3. Celebrate the benefits to education of older teachers
4. Changes to GCSE has had a detrimental impact on schools and consider the end of examinations at 16 and possible review of the review of post-14 curricula

Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) 6 – 7 April

1. Reduce class sizes – Primary classes of 24 and mixed classes (3 year groups) 15
2. Extra teacher posts to meet increases in pupils with special needs
3. Measures to allow NQTs to complete probation
4. Increased investment in Continuing Professional Development

Association of Secondary Teachers’ in Ireland (ASTI) 7 – 9 April

1. ASTI with the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) is taking industrial action to oppose the imposition of internal assessment of examination work (Junior Certificate).
2. Both unions have agreed to work closer together in the future and potential merger.
3. Agreement reached with government, to bring about the end the casualisation of teaching posts, the restoration of the pay levels of newly qualified teachers to those before the austerity measures were introduced, and only qualified teachers to work in schools

Scottish Trades Union Congress 20 – 22 April

1. Motions on Trade unions and Employment Rights, Equality and Social Justice, Economy and Industry, International Issues, Civil and Public Services, Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning stuc.org.uk
2. SSTA motions abolishing fees at Employment Tribunals and Government support for Young Carers passed unanimously
3. Education Motions included ending child poverty and retention of ASN funding
4. Congress was addressed by the First Minister and leader of the Labour Party

 

Forthcoming events:

1. Health and Safety Reps training Friday 12 June, Stirling – new date
2. School Reps training Friday 28 August, Stirling
3. Senior Managers seminar to be re-arranged for autumn term
4. May Day Rally – events in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Irvine

further information can be found on www.ssta.org.uk

A summary of May Day events being held around Scotland are listed below.  Further information on the events can be found on the STUC website at  http://www.stuc.org.uk/campaigns-and-external-events/mayday-2015

Sunday 3rd May, GLASGOW

May Day March and Rally Sunday May 3rd George Square 11am assemble 11.30am March off. Rally O2 Academy Glasgow – ALL WELCOME.

Thousands of trade unionists and supporters will march through Glasgow to celebrate the international workers day on Sunday May the 3rd. Organised by Glasgow Trade Union Council this celebration looks to reach out to all those striving for justice, peace and equality in our city. This year theme is young people as they face the brunt of unjust austerity, enduring insecure low paid employment, including zero hour contracts. That is why it is young people who will proudly lead off the May Day parade demonstrating that the trade union movement is a forward looking movement proud of our past while focusing on the struggle for a fair and equal future.

At Glasgow O2 Academy in the Gorbals, speakers include the writer and journalist Seamus Milne, a live video link with the USA’s Fast Food Forward movement, Gordon Maloney NUS Scotland’s President speaking on the need for a Living Rent, representatives of the Glasgow Girls Campaign, Roza Salih and Stephen Smellie will be speaking about Kobane. Alongside tons of stalls and kids entertainment, a friendly and welcoming environment.

Critical Mass Cycle Friday –May 1st – ALL WELCOME.
The Labour Movement has a proud cycling tradition, in times past cycling was used as a means to communicate the message of socialism while providing a social environment for trade unionists and socialists to meet and talk. In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest in cycling including the formation of a new cycle club for trade unionists and friends the Glasgow Clarion Club.

To celebrate May Day and our cycling heritage many trade unionist and friends will be cycling out on May 1st from Glasgow Green. Participants are asked to wear red to promote May Day and to highlight our campaign for Glasgow and its employer to become a bike friendly city. Cyclists will gather at 4.30 pm in Glasgow Green cycling together through town and then refreshments will be served in the STUC in Woodlands Road.

Organised by Glasgow Trade Union Council

ABERDEEN,  Saturday 2nd May

“The ABERDEEN Trades Union Council May Day March and Rally is on Saturday 2 May 2015.

The marchers will assemble at Rubislaw Terrace from 10.30 am and the procession will march off at 11.00 am.

The procession will proceed to the Castlegate via Union Street (the whole length of Union St). The rally at the Castlegate is scheduled to commence at 11.45 am/12noon.

Organised by Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC),

 

DUNDEE, Saturday 2nd May

Dundee Mayday March & Rally

Assemble Cowgate Underpass at 11:40am, march off 12 noon, Rally at Albert Square, Burns’ Statue.

Organised by Dundee TUC

 

Edinburgh, Saturday 2nd May

Organised by Midlothian TUC/Edinburgh & Lothians May Day Committee

Assemble 11.30 on Middle Meadow Walk , March at 12.00 led by Stockbridge Pipe Band.

Rally at Pleasance Theatre.

There will also be a May Day concert on Friday 1st May.

IRVINE, Sunday 3rd May

organised by Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council
Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council May Day March at 12 noon in Vineburgh Community Centre Quarry Rd Irvine.

Rally in Vineburgh Community Centre Quarry Road Irvine at 1pm.

 

 

Consutation Children YP 2015 Responses

Printable Version

The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 enshrines the concept of ‘Named Person’ in Statute. However the ‘Named Person’ is familiar to us all from any work we do that relates to the Scottish Government’s key child protection policy GIRFEC – or Getting It Right for Every Child.

Why is the Scottish Government insisting that Local Authorities have a Named Person for every child or young person from birth to 18 years or longer dependent on needs?

Firstly the SSTA fully supports the principles of GIRFEC and the role of the Named Person. Secondly we endorse the statement from Fiona McLeod (Acting Minister for Children) stating that “We know that mothers, fathers and carers are with a few exceptions the best people to raise their children. These new provisions support families, providing improved access to services while maintaining parental rights and responsibilities.”

What is the function of the Named Person?

The Named Person will carry out statutory functions on behalf of the service provider with respect to individual children or young people for whom they have a professional responsibility, as part of their contractual functions. The Named Person is the individual point of contact within a service, acting on behalf of that service, with responsibility for supporting the wellbeing of the individual child or young person within the context of their professional expertise and contracted role. (4.1.5) Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014)

Who should be a Named Person?                  

In the vast majority of circumstances the Named Person will be a health visitor or a promoted teacher with the skills, knowledge and understanding required to fulfil the Named Person functions that will be part of their daily functions. (4.1.15 Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014)

What is the role of a Named Person?

The role of the Named Person is to promote, support and safeguard the wellbeing of the child or young person

• Promote:-advising, informing or supporting the child or young person, or a parent of the child or young person. This may involve the Named Person providing direct help to the child, young person or parent in the form of information, advice, or support from their own service, in response to a request for assistance, an identified wellbeing need or base assessment, in response to an opportunity to further promote the child or young person’s wellbeing.
• Support:-helping the child or young person, or parent of the child or young person, to access a service or support. In considering the child’s or young person’s wellbeing, the Named Person may identify a service or particular support which would benefit the child, young person or parent and seek assistance from within their own service or from another service provider
• Safeguard:-discussing or raising a matter about a child or young person with a service provider or relevant authority. The Named Person may identify a wellbeing need, or have a concern brought to their attention by a parent, or another professional, which in their professional judgement requires advice and support from another agency.

Will I be given training for the role of the Named Person?

Yes! It will be for the service provider (Local Authority) to provide support for the Named Person including clear guidance on policy, procedures and training. (4.1.17) Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014)

 

What are the duties and responsibilities of the Named Person?

The Named person should have a clear understanding of and be able to implement: –

• The principles and values underpinning the GIRFEC approach
• National Practice Model of assessments and analysis
• Be able to recognise and respond appropriately to wellbeing concerns
• To work in partnership with parents and other agencies
• To seek assistance from within and outwith their service
• To share information appropriately
• Recording and processing of wellbeing concerns and other sensitive information
• Development and use of chronology
• Initiating reviews and managing the Child’s Plan
• Be knowledgeable and supportive of targeted interventions
• Be aware and supportive of wellbeing and child protection concerns

Who is ultimately responsible for the support, work and decisions made by the Named Person?

The statutory guidance clearly states in 1.6.10 “When guidance refers to the Named Person service provider, this means that the organisation providing the Named Person, not the identified individual carrying out the Named Person role. This is an important distinction, as the legal duties fall on the organisation providing the Named Person service, not on the individual practitioner taking on the role of Named Person.” Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014)

Who will look after my Named Person pupil caseload during school closure days and periods of absence?

This will be the duty of the Local Authority as they are regarded as the Named Person service provider.

Will I be given additional payment for this taking on this responsibility?

This will be something that will have to be negotiated at LNCT. However the SNCT agreement section 2. 1.26 states that “A council may increase the salary of a teacher if, in the particular circumstances of the post, it considers the salary to be inadequate. Such placement will not necessarily be accepted as applicable in respect of future employment with another council. This provision shall not be applied to effect a general increase in the salaries of a particular category of post.”

Colleagues

Please see link to circular 2015/11

The purpose of this circular is to:

1. Advise that retirement applications can now be submitted electronically and how to do this2. Highlight the timescales for submission of summer retiral applications 3. Confirm the information required after retirement 4. Advise that the premature calculator for employers has been updated