The REC has called on the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to provide increased clarity over the way the AWR will operate in the education sector.
The BIS recently confirmed that it would not be publishing agency workers’ regulations that were sector specific. This news prompted the REC to seek talks with the government and it has already begun consulting some of the country’s leading legal firms to find out how tribunals will view specific requirements.
Tom Hadley, the director of policy and professional services at the REC, said the AWR poses the education sector with some unique challenges and many questions remain unanswered.
For example, the current guidelines do not clarify whether the school or the local education authority is deemed to be the hirer. Neither do they effectively deal with the impact of school holidays on the qualifying period of 12 weeks.
The Confederation will provide regular updates on its talks with the coalition and external law firms to members of its Education Sector Group. Hadley pointed out that these are complex regulations and the REC will do everything it can to make sure there is no confusion for supply teacher agencies and schools.
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Image: Happy Girl Hopscotch in Strawberry by Pink Sherbet Photography
