Submission of evidence to the Senedd Children, Young People and Education Committee inquiry

UNISON response

Years of underfunding, low pay and staff shortages have created a recruitment and retention crisis, leaving teaching assistants overstretched and unable to provide the level of support that pupils need. 

We have serious concerns about the rollout of the Curriculum for Wales and the new Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system. Our survey of teaching assistants found that many school support staff feel unprepared due to insufficient training and growing workloads. 

Without changes, reforms risk failing both workers and learners

About this response

UNISON Cymru submitted evidence to the Senedd Children, Young People and Education Committee inquiry into the implementation of education reforms in April, 2024. The UNISON response is informed by data collected from three surveys of teaching assistants across Wales over the last six months.