School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB)
The SSSNB will be a statutory negotiating body for school support staff. It will negotiate pay and conditions, and advise on training and career progression.
Background
On 18 December 2025, the Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent. The Act provides for the establishment of the SSSNB.
Secondary legislation will be required to commence and constitute the body in 2026.
We anticipate that school support staff will continue to be covered by their existing arrangements in the 2026 to 2027 financial year, and the first outcomes will arise from the SSSNB from the 2027 to 2028 financial year at the earliest.
Support staff make up over half the school workforce and include a wide range of roles, such as:
- teaching assistants
- administrative staff
- catering staff
- caretakers
The body will recognise the varied and vital roles support staff undertake. In turn, it will:
- support work to drive high and rising standards in schools
- ensure we give children the best possible life chances
The SSSNB is an important part of the government’s Plan to Make Work Pay and opportunity mission.
Consultation
We held a public consultation from 11 June to 18 July 2025 to inform the set-up of the SSSNB. The first topic in the consultation, on the definition of school support staff, will inform secondary legislation to confirm which staff will be in the remit of the SSSNB.
The government will publish the consultation findings and response in early 2026.