Teaching assistant consultation Find the latest information regarding the teaching assistant consultation updated 6 September 2016. Background We entered into consultation with the Trade Unions (GMB,UNISON,UNITE) regarding the proposed revisions to the Local Collective Agreement 2004, with a view to seeking agreement on behalf of the relevant workforce for implementation on 1 September 2016. After considering the consultation feedback and legal advice received that the school and the council are under an increasing risk of equal pay challenges, a report was presented to Full Council on the 16 May 2016 recommending that existing teaching assistant contracts be terminated and re-engaged on new contracts from 1 January 2017. Full Council agreed to this proposal. Following this decision a further consultation exercise began based upon a termination and re-engagement proposal during which time all employees were offered the opportunity to attend a consultation meeting and/or submit written representations. Consultation ended on 20th July 2016. Click on this link to read further http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/6912/Teaching-assistant-consultation Are you aware of this situation with Teaching Assistants and Support Staff being used to cover for teachers taking place? Is it ever justified and a sensible solution or is it completely unacceptable in all circumstances? Please invite your friends and colleagues to sign it too, and pass the petition form straight onto this page so please add your message to. Don't forget to say what your role is (teaching assistant, teacher, parent, governor etc). “Behind every good teacher is a great teaching assistant” Solidarity PM