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Conditions of Service in Northern Ireland

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Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools)

The Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools) was established to reach agreement on teachers' pay and conditions of service of teachers in grant aided schools in Northern Ireland.

On 27 November 2007 the NASUWT submitted directly to the Education Minister Catriona Ruane a claim for substantial improvements in pay and conditions of service to secure parity with teachers in England and Wales.

The NASUWT has taken the unprecedented step of writing directly to the Minister to discuss these issues because the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council, which represents teacher Unions on the Teachers' Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee (Schools), has failed to act in the best interests of teachers.

Conditions of Service Document

Model circulars, issued by the Employing Authorities/employer representatives on teachers conditions of service are available from the Department of Education (new window) (DENI).

The Teachers' (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987 No. 267 (and Amendment Regulations 1988 No. 299) (new window) make provision as to the terms and conditions of employment of teachers in grant-aided schools and to peripatetic teachers. Other contractual changes, and agreed schemes and procedures (new window), are normally issued by the employing authorities/employer representative bodies (new window), and further advice on these issues is available directly from them.

Details of conditions of service changes (new window) can be found in the TNC circulars on the DENI website in respect of the following : 

  • the new Teachers' Job Share Scheme TNC 2009/4;
  • new Job Share Scheme Notes of Guidance of Relevant Bodies Appendix A TNC 2009/4;
  • new Job Share Scheme Information Notes for Teachers including, Principals and Vice Principals Appendix B TNC 2009/4;
  • new Application to Job Share TNC 2009/4;
  • new Career Break Scheme Teaching Staff 2009/5;
  • new Career Break Application form (CB1/T and CB2/T) TNC 2009/5;
  • new Flexible Working Policy TNC 2009/6;
  • new Flexible Working Aplication to Work Flexibly form (Form FW1) TNC 2009/6;
  • new Temporary Variation of Contract (TNC 2009/7); and 
  • new Temporary Variation of Contract Application form (TVC) 2009/7.

A new Bullying and Harassmnet Policy and Parental Complaints Policy is still under discussion within the TNC.

A teacher abuse document entitled Tackling Violent Behaviour in Schools has been agreed betwen the employers and teacher representatives. DENI is in the process of making it into booklet form for distribution to schools.

Employers issued a revised Teacher Attendance Procedure TNC 2008/2 (new window), Grievance Procedure TNC 2008/3 (new window), Mediation Procedure TNC 2008/6 (new window) and Notes of Guidance on the Disciplinary Procedure TNC 2008/4 (new window) to all schools on 22 April 2008. Revised Guidance on the Formulation and Implementation of Salary Policy (new window) were issued to Boards of Governors in May 2008.

Employers issued a revised Teachers' Maternity Leave Scheme (new window), Performance Review and Staff Development Scheme (new window), Collective Agreement Procedure (new window), Teacher Attendance Procedure (new window) and Disciplinary Procedure (new window) to all schools on 5 December 2007.

Performance Management

The Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) Scheme (new window), effective from 1 September 2004, applies to principals and teachers employed in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Education has also produced Guidance for Governors and Principals (new window).

Family Friendly Rights

The Department for Employment and Learning provide information and guidance on work and family rights for Working Parents and Carers (new window).

Full guidance on maternity rights is available in the booklet Maternity Rights – a guide for employers and employees (new window) (ER 16).

Advice on the legal requirements in assessing risks in relation to new and expectant mothers’ job activities is set out in the Health and Safety Executive booklet New and Expectant Mothers at Work: A Guide for Employers (new window).

Members have the right to apply to work flexibly where they have:

  • children aged under 17;
  • disabled children aged under 18; or
  • carer responsibilities.

The details of the new Teachers’ Job Share Scheme are contained in TNC Circular 2009/4 (new window).

The NASUWT, through the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council, successfully negotiated the opportunity for teachers to participate in salary sacrifice schemes for childcare vouchers/benefits, cycles for work and mobile phones. Information on the Salary Sacrifice Scheme are set out in Circular 2006/27 Teachers' Pay and Allowances from 1 September 2006 and 1 September 2007 (new window).

Temporary workers and substitute teachers

Any teacher taking on a temporary or ‘fixed-term’ contract should consult the Union.

Further information or assistance

Members needing further information or assistance should contact the Northern Ireland National Centre.