APSCo Responds to UK Government’s Every Child Achieving and Thriving Education Policy Paper

APSCo UK has welcomed today’s publication of the UK Government’s education white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, which sets out reforms to schools, staffing, and SEND provision across England. The paper includes commitments such as recruiting 6,500 additional teachers, expanding professional development, and strengthening workforce frameworks.

Tania Bowers, Global Public Policy Director at APSCo UK and OutSource commented:

“APSCo notes that while the manifesto pledge to deliver 6,500 more teachers is a positive and long‑awaited objective, achieving it will depend heavily on the detailed delivery plan the Government has promised.

Our members' supply teachers will be in scope of the Employment Rights Act's new School Support Staff Negotiating Body for terms and conditions. This sector is further likely to be impacted by the zero‑hours contract provisions of the Employment Rights Act. APSCo agrees that high‑level workforce solutions are needed across the public sector so that supply teachers continue to provide valued, immediate expertise and longer-term cover — rather than being relied on due to ongoing issues in permanent staffing and attrition.

The white paper also includes ambitious goals to halve the disadvantage gap and raise average attainment, and major reforms to the SEND system, including long‑term plans that run to 2035 and ambitious improvements to individual support planning and legal entitlements. While some proposals — including reducing the number of children formally classified under SEND pathways — are likely to generate debate, APSCo welcomes the extended lead-in time and acknowledges the Minister’s intentions to improve system coherence and outcomes.

Professional staffing companies will play a vital role in supporting schools to meet these higher standards through access to specialist teaching and support expertise. APSCo and its Education members stand ready to work collaboratively with the Government as it develops and delivers detailed workforce implementation plans. Ensuring the Education sector has the skilled, supported and sustainable workforce it needs will be essential if the white paper’s ambitions for children and young people are to be realised.”