Research and analysis

The role and experience of support staff in schools

Research on the school support staff workforce in England across primary, secondary and special schools.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 26 February 2026

Applies to England

Documents

The role and experience of support staff in schools: research report

PDF, 1.85 MB, 169 pages

The role and experience of support staff in schools: technical appendix

Ref: ISBN 978-1-83870-763-7, RR1607/1

PDF, 532 KB, 56 pages

The role and experience of support staff in schools: data tables

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 920 KB

Details

This research report aims to provide the Department for Education with an updated understanding of the support staff workforce landscape across a number of areas, including:

• support staff roles and responsibilities
• job satisfaction
• pay and working conditions
• workload
• working with pupils with special educational needs (SEND)
• support staff training and career progression

The research details findings from a survey with a representative sample of support staff and qualitative interviews with school leaders.

This research serves as a baseline study, forming part of a broader evidence base that the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) can use once established.

Published 26 February 2026