Support staff: performance management
You're not required to conduct formal appraisals for school support staff including teaching assistants (TAs), but it is good practice. Read guidance on how to manage this process, including appointing appraisers and handling underperformance.
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Formal performance management of support staff isn't a requirement
However, it's considered good practice to have formal procedures in place.
A DfE representative told us this.
Formal performance management processes are useful for all staff
This is because they:
- Give the employer and the employee a chance to discuss the employee's work
- Allow the member of staff to raise any issues that may otherwise go unmentioned
- Treat all members of staff equally by providing access to the same appraisal processes and opportunities
An adviser from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) gave us this advice.
Check whether any local requirements apply for support staff appraisal
The standards aren't statutory, but were agreed between local authorities and unions, so may apply in your school. If you're not sure, check with your local