What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of pay levels for learning support assistants in mainstream settings?
I recognise the significant contribution that support staff make in our schools and settings.
Local government staff pay and conditions, including for support staff working in all settings, are negotiated directly between unions and local authorities in Wales and on an all Wales and England basis by agreement through the National Joint Council. The Welsh Government does not currently play a part in these negotiations.
As part of the Schools Social Partnership Forum, which does involve the Welsh Government, along with union and employer representatives, a Task and Finish Group is looking into a variety of issues relating to support staff. This includes standardisation of roles; consistency in deployment; and a move towards common pay scales across Wales. We will be working with local authorities and unions to address the challenges facing our education workforce as part of the strategic education workforce plan.