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Training and Development Agency for Schools

Support staff roles

Support staff fulfil many important and often multiple roles in the school. In this section you can learn about the type of roles typically filled in schools and where to find more information about training and development opportunities for support staff.

Learning support

Learning support staff work with teachers in the classroom, helping pupils progress with their learning.

Administrative

Administrative staff provide essential back-up services for the whole school.

Pupil support

Pupil support staff are responsible for the welfare of pupils during break, lunchtime and outside school hours. This group also includes those who assist pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and those who provide careers advice.

Specialist and technical staff

Specialist and technical staff are on hand in schools to provide valuable know-how and resources that support teaching and learning.

Site staff

Site staff play an important role in schools ensuring that the environment is clean, safe and tidy and that meals are available at lunchtime.

Support staff development framework

There are numerous development opportunities and qualifications for support staff. You can use the support staff development framework to identify training opportunities suitable for your role and level.

Training and qualifications

Support work in schools

Support work in schools (SWiS) qualifications are designed to provide support staff with training relevant to their role in school. They are flexible and so can apply to the many varied roles that full and part-time support staff may fulfill.

National occupational standards

The national occupational standards for supporting teaching and learning in schools describe what you need to do, know and understand in your role. Completing sufficient units leads to an NVQ award. Find out more about the standards.