Human resources update

1. Human resources update January 2017

2. What’s new? • English Language Requirement (November 2016) • New Code of Practice applies to workers in schools • Must be able to speak fluent English “sufficient to enable the effective performance of their role” • And have “an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence” • Consistent with teaching standards: “demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English, whatever the teacher’s specialist subject. ” • Employer’s responsibility to ensure necessary level of fluency: selection and appraisal / performance management • Agency /service contracts should reference the requirement https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-language-requirement-for-public-sector-workers-code-of-practice www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

3. What’s new? • Visa / Sponsorship of overseas workers • More rigorous vetting of applications • Limited number of applications considered per month • Must fulfil all criteria in the recruitment process • Keep evidence of adverts when they are ‘live’ • Include evidence of information attached • Additional guidance to be published soon http://www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr/workforce-planning/recruitment-selection-and-induction www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

4. What’s new? • Safeguarding Board feedback • Better reporting of key information to the board • Lots of good practice reporting identified in schools • Staff may need additional support to implement training • Safeguarding policy and HR policies available on website • Managing allegations against staff guidance published last year http://www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr/safeguarding • New Single Central Record template • Simplified content and improved guidance http://schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr/news-and-views-2017?chapter=2 www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

5. Coming up • Support staff pay (April 2017) • 1% increase • New pay range available on website • Grade 1 roles in schools / London Living Wage • Impact on cleaning staff • Teachers’ pay 2017-18 (September 2017) • Negotiations continue • Likely to be 1% across the board • Will be confirmed in summer term www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

6. Coming up • Apprenticeship levy (April 2017) • DfE and LGA both published guidance • Will be a charge (the levy) to all employers in the UK • LA is the employer for community schools • Levy will be 0.5% of pay bill, collected monthly through PAYE • Allowance of £15,000 per employer, pay bill therefore > £3,000,000 • Employer’s paying a levy receive funding for apprenticeships • Must deliver apprenticeships equivalent to 2.3% of workforce each year • Potential apprenticeships in schools • Business administration, management, science / ICT technicians • TA / Teacher apprenticeships in development www.getingofar.gov.uk www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

7. Coming up • Off-payroll intermediaries legislation IR35(April 2017) • Applies to individuals providing services through their own intermediary • Responsibility for determining employment status task passes to public sector bodies • Updated guidance ‘using self employed consultants’ • Links to HMRC employment status tool www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr/pay-and-conditions • Salary sacrifice schemes (April 2017) • Tax and NI advantages ending • Except for childcare vouchers, cycle to work, pensions and ultra-low admissions cars. www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

8. Coming up • Workforce attendance strategy • Undertook some benchmarking in autumn term • 15 schools responded • Will be contacting selected schools to discuss action plans • Training for leadership teams this term • Briefing for staff on rights and responsibilities • Range of engagement and well being activities on offer • All schools are invited to send representatives to our workshop this term www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

9. Coming up • Trade Union Act 2016 (31 March 2017) • Draft regulations now published • Apply to teachers, head teachers and principals • 50% turnout to ballots • 40% of those entitled to vote supporting action • 14 days notice of action • Introduced 31 March 2017 or 21 days after parliamentary approval • Gender pay gap reporting (5 April 2017) • Draft regulations for public authorities not yet published • One year to collect and report information • Will include employees and casual workers • Likely to require LAs to report on community schools www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

10. Coming up • Annual customer survey • Will be sent out this month • Encourage input from school business managers and other key staff • Value ideas and feedback • Informs service offer for 2017/18 • Service level agreement 2017/18 • Will be published on the website in February • Happy to visit schools to discuss services • Need to protect commercial information • Working on policy updates, new guidance and training offers for the coming year www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

11. Your HR team www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr

12. Contact us • Website: http://www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr • Regular news articles uploaded • Look out for our termly news round ups • Contact the team on 020 7525 5307 • Julie Chow, Head of Schools Human Resources • 020 7525 0050 / 07841 867 956 • Julie.chow@southwark.gov.uk www.schools.southwark.gov.uk/schoolshr