Support staff make up around half the workforce in schools, making a positive contribution to pupil development and the successful running of a school. School leaders need to be confident that all staff have the skills to do their jobs effectively.

This guidance is designed to help anyone responsible for staff development in a school or local authority to access support work in schools (SWiS) qualifications. The qualifications are flexible and tailored to be relevant to a range of specific job roles and provide on-the-job training and assessment leading to a nationally recognised qualification.

Funding for the SWiS qualification in 2007-08 comes to local authorities direct from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). Schools can apply directly to their local authority for funded places for candidates which helps ensure demand for training is learner and employer led at a local level.