Schools FAQ's

New AWR coming in from 1st October 2011 - What do I need to know in schools?

The AWR has been set up to give temporary workers equal rights to those of their counterparts in the same role. This takes effect after 12 weeks of service in the same role in the same establishment.

The 12 Week “qualifying period”

An agency worker is not entitled to equal treatment until he or she has completed the 12 week qualifying period
An agency worker must work in the same role with the same hirer for 12 calendar weeks- (these do not have to be full weeks and 1 day per week will count)
If there is a break of 6 weeks or more, the clock starts again.
Sick leave does not “break” the clock unless it is for 28 weeks or more

When referring to the AWR, what's included:

• Pay
• Holidays
• Hours of work
• Night work
• Rest periods and breaks
• The right to hear about vacant posts within the business
• The right to use collective facilities such as the a canteen, childcare facilities or transport services

The main employment conditions that are excluded from the AWR legislation are:

• Occupational sick pay
• Pensions
• Parental leave
• Redundancy payments
• Share schemes
• Long service award schemes

Link Education consultants will quote you the scale and charge of the staff supplied before and after the 12 week qualifying period so you know the charges and legislation you are working with at any given time.

Are all of your teachers local to my school if I call in an emergency?
We will call the nearest and best teacher available for you. You will also be told of an estimated arrival time if you call for that day. In advance we will have the time you expect staff to arrive and we will have informed teachers and support staff of this.

What time can we call you?
From 7am – 10pm

I get an answer phone out of hours?
At the weekend calls are picked up Saturday and Sunday and returned as soon as possible. Between 7am – 8am we will be on another call and return your call straight away.

What is the quality of the teachers you send us?
All prospective candidates are interviewed face-to-face and assessed for suitability. Each teacher is assessed on the type of booking, school and skill set they can offer which would suit them and the school. We do reject some also through various reasons through the vetting procedure.

Do primary teachers do the marking?
Yes, even for a days cover

What about planning on a long term placement – secondary or primary?
We would expect to charge more to give the teacher more remuneration for the work load involved however expectations is to be the teacher and does the role as per schools job specification.

How do you know what teachers suit our school?
We endeavour to send teachers who match the skill set of the school and individual bookings; year group, class management, ethos etc.; this is achieved by visiting the school, maintaining close relations and gaining feedback on teachers and support staff to gain a ‘feel’ of the type of staff who suit your school.

Are your staff fully vetted?
All teachers are fully vetted prior to sending to schools. All schools have access to our vetting on request which assists you with OFSTED’s requirements. Please ask our consultants for more information.

Do all your teachers/support staff carry their CRB’s with them?
We ask all teachers and support staff to carry their applicant’s copy of their CRB, ID and our ID card with them to every new school attended.

Are all teachers qualified?
The majority of our teachers hold QTS, we do have a small proportion of overseas trained and FE trained teachers but you will be informed of their qualification status.

Do you supply support staff?
Yes, we try to help schools with all staff, teachers, nursery nurses, teaching assistants and have been known to cover the secretary!

Are all support staff qualified?
Nursery nurses must have NNEB equivalent, teaching assistants must have a qualifications or experience in schools and cover supervisors must be graduates with child based experience

What cover do you help with?
Whatever you need it is always worth asking – short, long term, supply, recruitment, maternity, sickness, emergency, courses, PPA etc…

Can you help with filling full time posts?
Yes, we have many teachers and support staff who are looking for posts. Speak to our consultants about our many cost effective options, it may save you money on advertising & search and selection time.

What support do Link Education consultants give to school personnel?
We alleviate workload, you make one phone call with your cover needs and we do all the work for you. Vetting and giving you the right staff. If we don’t have anyone suitable we will let you know. We want you to have the confidence to rely on us and work as a team for you and the school. Link Education has always prided itself on recommendations through customer service and relationship building, this we feel is so important when working for children.

When do you confirm our booking once placed?
We have an agreed response time, again not having to make another call. i.e. for the same day - within 10 minutes.

How do you know how the teachers perform?
Schools will have a call after each booking to gain feedback on teachers and support staff, and periodically during long term assignments. This helps us to place teachers back with schools for continuity. It also helps with teacher’s professional development as we work with them from the feedback also either positive or developmental.

Why is the Quality Mark important to schools?
The Quality Mark (QM) is a department of the DfES which sets down standards for all teaching agencies and LEA’s. We are externally audited and have to meet stringent procedures of professional practice. The DCSF would give guidance and support to a school or agency through the Quality Mark if needed with professional practices etc. If we are not a member you have no guarantees that our practices are carried through.