UNISON is the largest union in schools, representing over 250,000 members in support staff roles across the UK.
UNISON represents staff across all types of schools and special units, including academies in England. We negotiate nationally, regionally and locally to improve pay, terms and conditions and job security for all school workers. UNISON representatives help to ensure a safe working environment.
UNISON campaigns to improve the professional status and recognition of schools support staff and provides training and briefings on a range of professional topics and skills.
We understand the issues you face – join the experts .
Our members work in a variety of roles. See who we represent in schools.
Skills for Schools is an online guide to careers, training and development for support staff in schools.
Find out more at skillsforschools.org.uk
Stars in Our Schools is UNISON’s annual celebration of school support staff, with events held all over the UK.
Find out all about it at starsinourschools.uk
Member learning
Did you know as a UNISON member you can access hundreds of free training courses?
Schools and early years members can apply for a free Skills Academy licence.
These licences give you access to over 700 fully CPD and ROSPA certified courses and allow you to study – in your own time and at your own pace – a large range of topics aimed at those working in the education sector. Plus plenty of other options like mental health and wellbeing, feng shui, creative writing and feline communication (and everything in between!).
Check out all the courses you could take part in for free as a UNISON member:
Member learning
If you’d like to apply for one of these licences then please email L.Organising@unison.co.uk using ‘Skills Academy’ as the subject line.
Resources
SSSNB members briefing
14 October 2024
A briefing document for members about the new School Support Staff Negotiation Body (SSSNB).
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529_NJC_IA_ballot_Schools_poster
27 August 2024
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528_NJC_IA_ballot_Schools_leaflet
27 August 2024
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UNISON in Schools newsletter – Autumn 2024
27 August 2024
The latest news for school support staff, including topics on staff pay, the 10 year anniversary of Stars in Our Schools, regional updates and more.
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United Learning Trust Newsletter – Autumn 2024
19 August 2024
A short newsletter that can be ordered by branches and organisers who represent staff in United Learning Trust schools. Providing updates for members on important issues around pay and pensions and information on how to join UNISON for non-members.
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Stars in Our Schools_Early Years Stars_combined A4 posters
25 June 2024
Stars in Our Schools_Early Years Stars_combined A4 poster.
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UNISON model violence in schools policy – March 2024
22 March 2024
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You can be the reason things get better. Schools support staff poster
4 March 2024
A4 poster aimed at encouraging schools members to become more active within the union.
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UNISON – the union for all school support staff recruitment leaflet
4 March 2024
A5 leaflet aimed at recruiting new school support staff members.
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UNISON – the union for all school support staff recruitment poster
4 March 2024
A4 poster aimed at recruiting new school support staff members.
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Stars in Our Schools/Early Years Stars – Welsh A3 selfie frame
11 October 2023
Print out these A3 selfie frames and use it for photo opportunities to promote this year’s celebration day.
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UNISON supports Stars in Our Schools sticker
10 October 2023
Stars in Our Schools celebration day Stickers
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Stars in Our Schools/Early Years Stars A3 selfie frame
4 October 2023
Print out these A3 selfie frames and use it for photo opportunities to promote this year’s celebration day.
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Combined Stars in Our Schools/Early Years Stars A3 selfie frame
2 October 2023
Print out these A3 selfie frames and use it for photo opportunities to promote this year’s celebration day.
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Stars in our Schools/Early Years Stars – leaflet
26 September 2023
Stars in our Schools/Early Years Stars – leaflet.
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Stars In Our Schools – celebrating school support staff 2023
25 September 2023
Everything you need to know about running successful Stars In Our Schools events in a handy PDF downloadable guide.
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Joint union ventilation guidance-HS reps April 23
11 September 2023
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Template violence survey for branches
17 July 2023
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The Living Wage: A briefing and plan for implementation in Church of England schools
1 February 2023
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Stars in our schools face mask
15 March 2022
NEW – Stylish UNISON-branded ‘Stars in our schools’ purple and yellow cotton face coverings. They are washable and reusable, with a filter pocket and tailored fit (mouldable nose bar and adjustable ear loops. Masks are sold at discounted price of just £1 per mask.
Branches can order up to 75 masks
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UNISON Education face mask
15 March 2022
NEW – Stylish UNISON Education branded cotton face coverings. They are washable and reusable, with a filter pocket and tailored fit (mouldable nose bar and adjustable ear loops. Masks are sold at discounted price of just £1 per mask.
Branches can order up to 50 masks
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Teaching assistants– A class act UNISON speaking up for TAs
13 July 2018
A5 public-facing leaflet about teaching assistants.
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General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR): factsheet for school support staff
19 April 2018
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR): factsheet for school support staff. Sets out your responsibilities and what to do if things go wrong.
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Cover supervision – guidance on when and how it should be used
9 April 2018
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Guidance on lesson observations of teaching assistants in schools. UNISON guidance
30 January 2018
Guidance on lesson observations of teaching assistants in schools. How it should and should not be used and what to do if it is misused. Minimum order 10. Maximum 50 or email stockorders@unison.co.uk.Education
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Dealing with health needs in schools A5 leaflet.
16 October 2017
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Are you an apprentice in a school?
5 September 2017
Why should a schools apprentice join UNISON?
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Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions: branch advice on statutory guidance
9 August 2017
Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions – branch advice on statutory guidance (England). Also useful as guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A4 booklet.
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Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions poster
9 August 2017
Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions
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Providing support for children and young people with health needs in schools –
21 July 2017
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Many hands make lunch work
21 July 2017
UNISON guidance on changes to school food in England (2014).
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Preventing work-related mental health conditions: advice for school leaders
21 July 2017
This guide has been drawn up by the NUT with contributions and guidance from UNISON. It has been written for the school leadership team and we would recommend that this is brought to their attention by the trade union health and safety stewards
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Under pressure, underfunded and undervalued: UNISON members keeping communities together – summary and key findings. Local Government survey 2016.
21 July 2017
Summary and key findings of the 2016 survey of local government membersin councils and schools produced for UNISON by Incomes Data Research.
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Leaflet. Part of the school support staff team? Then it’s time to join UNISON
21 July 2017
Leaflet setting out all the specialist and generic benefits to school support staff of belonging to UNISON.
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Managing Difficult Behaviour in Schools: A practical guide
21 July 2017
Managing Difficult Behaviour in Schools: A practical guide
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Young workers – your wages your rights. Young members leaflet
18 July 2017
Young workers and the minimum wage. A5 leaflet with information on the basic employment rights. Of particular use to UNISON members working with young people in schools, colleges, careers services, youth services, leisure centres and through social services.
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Join the experts – UNISON welcomes the whole support staff team – poster
13 July 2017
Poster setting out all the specialist and generic benefits to school support staff of belonging to UNISON.
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Help us protect your school from cuts – Leaflet
17 March 2017
8% cuts to schools. What can you do about it? Leaflet outlining the issue and how to involve the school and community in fighting the cuts.
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Are you in UNISON yet? EWC Wales professional registration leaflet WELSH & ENGLISH BILINGUAL
2 March 2017
Leaflet for school learning support staff in Wales setting out the benefits of UNISON following on from compulsory registration with the EWC. BILINGUAL.
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Career Framework and Continuing Professional Development for Teaching Assistants
21 February 2017
Career Framework and Continuing Professional Development for Teaching Assistants
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Does your school pay the Living Wage? A5 leaflet
13 February 2017
Leaflet to help members campaign for the Living Wage in their school.
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The Employment of Black Workers in Local Government and Schools in Wales and England
5 September 2016
Research report using survey results looking at the employment of Black workers in local government
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Under pressure, underfunded and undervalue: UNISON members keeping communities together. Local Government survey 2016.
22 June 2016
Research report on the 2016 survey of local government members in councils and schools produced for UNISON by Incomes Data Research.
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Professional standards for teaching assistants
10 June 2016
Advice for headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants, governing boards and employers.
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