April Updates: What Education Staff Need to Know

As we are now in April, there are several important changes taking effect across pay, worker rights, and employment regulations. At Schools Mutual Services, we want to make sure all our candidates, especially those working in Teaching Assistant and support staff roles, are fully informed about what these updates mean for you.

National Minimum Wage Increases

From 1st April, National Minimum Wage rates have increased across all age groups. This is great news for some of the roles we supply, as it means higher pay for a number of education support staff.

If you’re currently working in a support role, your pay rate may be affected. Our team is already reviewing and updating pay rates where required to ensure full compliance with the new legislation.

What this means for you:

• You may see an increase in your hourly rate

• Your pay will continue to meet or exceed legal requirements

• If you have any questions about your pay, our team is here to help

Changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

There have also been important changes to Statutory Sick Pay:

• SSP is now payable from day one of sickness (previously day four)

• The lower earnings threshold has been removed

What this means for you:

• You may now be eligible for SSP even if you were not before

• You can receive sick pay from the first day you are unwell

• It’s important to report sickness promptly so we can process this correctly

New Day One Worker Rights

Some key worker rights are now effective from your first day of an assignment, including:

• Paternity leave

• Unpaid parental leave

What this means for you:

• You have access to certain family-related rights immediately

• You don’t need a long service period to qualify for these entitlements

• If your circumstances change, you should inform us as early as possible

Increased Compliance & the Fair Work Agency

The government is introducing a new enforcement body, the Fair Work Agency, which will focus on ensuring agencies meet strict standards around:

• Pay accuracy

• Worker rights

• Fair treatment

As a business aligned with APSCo standards, Schools Mutual Services is already committed to high levels of compliance, safeguarding, and candidate care. These new measures reinforce the importance of the work we already do, and our responsibility to you.

What this means for you:

• You can expect continued transparency and accuracy in your pay

• Your rights and well-being remain a top priority

• We will continue to uphold strict safeguarding and compliance standards

Our Commitment to You

We understand that changes like these can sometimes feel overwhelming, but they are designed to improve fairness, transparency, and support for workers across the education sector.

At Schools Mutual Services, we are:

• Proactively updating our systems and payroll processes

• Ensuring full compliance with all new regulations

• Supporting you every step of the way

If you have any questions about how these changes affect you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.

Stay informed. Stay supported. Work with confidence.